Sussex's Matt Prior was one of three players left out as England made a successful start to their troubled tour of Zimbabwe.
Ian Bell opened with Virkam Solanki instead and the Warwickshire batsman celebrated his international debut with 75 as England chased down Zimbabwe's total of 195 with five wickets and 14 balls to spare.
Earlier, Elton Chigumbura had revived Zimbabwe after they slumped to 90-5 by scoring 52 off 47 balls. Darren Gough was England's best bowler with 3-34.
Bell and Michael Vaughan (56) steadied England after the early departure of Solanki with a second wicket stand of 111 while another debutant, Kevin Pietersen, made an undefeated 27.
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