ENGLAND hopeful Vikram Solanki again let his bat do the talking when he top scored for Worcestershire in their four-day friendly against Zimbabwe at New Road.

The on-form batsman hit 74 to help the County make 262 off 60.5 overs and by the close last night the tourists were 69-3 off 30 overs in reply.

Solanki, who played in eight one-day internationals for England in 1999-2000, picked up where he left off on Wednesday when he made his highest score in limited-over cricket -- 164 not out -- in the C&G Trophy win over the Worcestershire Cricket Board.

The 27-year-old, however, prefers not to enter the debate when talk starts about the possibility of him re-igniting his England career this season.

He said: "Selection is a matter out of my hands really. I just go about hopefully getting some more runs for Worcestershire and see where we get to.

"I'm just concerned with scoring good runs and playing well and making sure that I'm on top of my game."

Solanki looked to be heading for an eye-catching century until a rush of blood 97 minutes into his innings urged him to charge at spinner Ray Price.

It proved a fatal move which ended in him being stumped by Tatenda Taibu, who celebrated his return to New Road with catches to dismiss Ben Smith, Kadeer Ali, Andrew Hall and Mark Harrity. Taibu played for Worcester Cricket Club last season and also acted as a 12th man for the County on occasions.

Solanki's departure, after cracking one six and 14 fours off 79 balls, led to a Worcestershire collapse when paceman Douglas Hondo grabbed three wickets in the space of five balls.

The sequence began when he accounted for Kadeer for 10 and Smith for 53, which included eight fours off 88 deliveries. Smith, who had put on 129 in 20 overs with Solanki, was followed next ball by Gareth Batty.

The slide was temporarily halted by James Pipe (15) and Hall, who marked his Worcestershire debut by making 34.

When Zimbabwe started their reply they soon lost openers Dion Ebrahim and Mark Vermeulen, but were given a mini boost by Stuart Carlisle (29 not out) who put on 46 with Grant Flower who eventually fell for 18.