Stuart Carlisle, whose 119 helped the tourists to a total of 285 for nine after winning the toss, later sustained a dislocated right thumb fielding a full-blooded cover drive from Ian Blackwell.

Peter Bowler and Keith Dutch (both 93) looked to have put Somerset on course with a third-wicket stand of 134.

But Dutch was unluckily run out and from 219 for two the county could manage only 282 for seven.

Stuart Matsikenyeri was Zimbabwe's other batting hero, making 66 off 62 balls and sharing a fifth-wicket stand of 134 with Carlisle.

But the bowling and fielding of the tourists left much to be desired as two catches went down and only Heath Streak, with one for 31 from his 10 overs, managed to contain the Somerset batsmen.

Bowler, a month short of his 40th birthday, showed he is still a quality performer, scoring his 93 off 130 balls, with nine fours and two sixes.

Dutch looked in even better form and could hardly believe his ill fortune when he was run out backing-up for the second successive game. The same fate had befallen him in Sunday's National League win over Scotland.

This time Streak deflected a Blackwell drive on to the stumps and Dutch departed seven short of what would have been his first one-day hundred, having faced only 82 deliveries.

At 252 for four Somerset still looked favourites. But they have been frail under pressure in one-day cricket this season and Zimbabwe held their nerve.

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