CAPE TOWN (Reuters) ¿ Kevin Pietersen inspired England to a resounding win by 50 runs against giant-killers Zimbabwe after batting first and totalling a daunting 188-9 in their Twenty20 World Cup at Newlands yesterday. Pietersen smashed 79 from just 37 balls with seven fours and four sixes while skipper Paul Collingwood weighed in with 37 from 28 balls as Zimbabwe were brought down to earth after Wednesday's shock five-wicket victory over Australia.

In reply, the Africans were restricted to 138-7 with Wednesday's man of the match Brendan Taylor again top scoring with 47 from 39 deliveries. Seamer Dimitri Mascarenhas (3-18) and leg spinner Chris Schofield (2-15) were the pick of the England bowlers who recovered well after an opening stand of 74 in just nine overs between Taylor and Vusi Sibanda (29). Determined to take advantage of a short off-side boundary while facing left arm spinner Keith Dabengwa, Pietersen played three successive reverse sweeps for a six and two fours. Dabengwa's over, the 13th of the innings, went for 22 and Zimbabwe's chances of containing England to a manageable score had disappeared. England next face Australia today almost certain of qualifying for the Super Eight group stage.