Alec Stewart’s reign as England captain had come to an end a year before the shackles were off at Lord’s and he hit an unbeaten 124 against Zimbabwe in 2000, his first Test century since the victory over Australia in Melbourne in 1998.

It was the highest individual innings for England against Zimbabwe, surpassing Nasser Hussain’s 113 in Bulawayo in 1996, and it was Stewart’s fourth as a wicketkeeper. He also became the first ‘keeper to score two separate hundreds against Zimbabwe, and the fourth batsman to do so. His other hundred against Zimbabwe came in Harare in 1996.

The match at Lord’s was a one-sided affair as England bowled Zimbabwe out for only 83 on their first visit to the Home of Cricket for a Test match. Stewart’s 124, along with 101 from Graeme Hick, inspired England to a total of 415 all out before the tourists were bowled out for 123 and the hosts sealed victory by an innings and 209 runs. At the time, it was the fourteenth biggest win in the history of Test cricket and England’s biggest in 26 years.

Later in the summer, Stewart made a memorable century against the West Indies at Old Trafford in his 100th Test Match.