Forget Zimbabwe's plight. Forget England's jubilation. The reason for celebration was that it did India a great favour. England's third win in four matches forks them in to the second spot, behind South Africa, who also have six points.

More importantly for India, it opens up possibilities for them. If the Indians win the next two games, against Sri Lanka and England, they would finish on identical points with England and be placed ahead of the hosts on the strength of the group win. This would prove invaluable in the Super Six. Sri Lanka, provided they lose to India and beat Kenya, will be on even points with Zimbabwe, who are expected to lose their final match to South Africa. In this case the last place fromthe group will be a three-way tie between Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and England.

Scoreboard

Zimbabwe: 167-8 in 50 overs

England: Nasser Hussain not out 57, Alec Stewart c Goodwin b Johnson 12, Graeme Hick c A Flower b Mbangwa 4, Graham Thorpe c Campbell b Mbangwa 62, Neil Fairbrother not out 7; Extras (w16, lb3, nb7): 26. Total (for 3 wkts, 38.3 overs): 168

Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-36, 3-159

Bowling: Johnson 7-2-20-1, Streak 8-0-37-0, Mbangwa 7-1-28-2, Whittall 4-0-23-0, Olonga 3-0-27-0, Strang 9.3-1-30-0.