Kevin Pietersen made the first telling contribution of an international career which is expected to flourish as England completed another comprehensive victory over Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club.

Ever since South African-born Pietersen first began his qualification period for England at Nottinghamshire, great things have been expected of a batsman who averaged over 50 during his four-year stay at Trent Bridge and over 40 in domestic one-day cricket.

His undoubted talent was not immediately evident during his debut on Sunday, when he hit a nervy 27, including the winning runs, to help England secure a comfortable five-wicket triumph.

But yesterday England's faith in Pietersen was rewarded when he delivered a superb innings to propel them away from a tricky situation and help them reach a commanding 263 for six, a display which sapped the belief from Zimbabwe's young side, who slumped to 102 all out in only 36 overs.

Pietersen's brilliant 77 in the 161-run victory came off only 76 balls and included four fours and three sixes. It was all the more impressive as England had been 121 for five and were in danger of becoming the first side to lose against Zimbabwe since April.

Just as on Sunday, when he helped run out Paul Collingwood and had several close shaves with Geraint Jones early in his innings, Pietersen showed signs of inexperience while running between the wickets and was almost guilty of ending his own innings just four overs after striding to the crease.

He had progressed to just four when Collingwood pushed on to the off-side and Pietersen backed up almost halfway down the wicket, but Elton Chigumbura's throw was wayward. Pietersen recovered to launch a stunning assault which helped add 104 in the final ten overs and included a record England sixth-wicket stand of 120 off only 85 balls with Jones.

Their contribution made amends for another nervous start which was possibly explained by a small demonstration outside their hotel shortly before they left for the ground when three protesters ran across the street with placards demanding the release of imprisoned opposition MP Roy Bennett.

The incident passed quickly but England began their innings badly, with seamer Tinashe Panyangara claiming the early scalps of Ian Bell and captain Michael Vaughan as England slumped to 121 for five.

It was Zimbabwe's spinners who caused problems, with Vikram Solanki stumped facing off-spinner Utseya just eight runs short of a half-century, while Andrew Strauss was bowled by Gavin Ewing.

Durham's Collingwood, perhaps the player most under pressure for his place following Pietersen's emergence, could perhaps claim to be the victim of a mistaken umpiring decision, with leg-spinner Stuart Matsikenyeri claiming a catch behind down the leg-side which appeared dubious.

It was left to Pietersen and Jones to rescue the situation, breaking the previous England sixth-wicket record of 112 recorded by Neil Fairbrother and Adam Hollioake against South Africa in Dhaka eight years ago until Jones holed out with two overs to go for 66.