THOSE who stayed awake long enough to pass judgment were united in the belief that Grant Flower was playing an immensely valuable innings, showing just the sort of, yawn, ehm, discipline that England's batsmen had ZZZZZZZZZ . . .

Sorry, dropped off again there. Must give credit where it's due. Just the sort of discipline that England's batsmen lacked during their collapse on the first day of the second Test, an innings that placed dependability above player, and the achievement of the team ahead of individual satisfaction.

An innings that made no concessions not to the crowd, not to Flower's own frailties and certainly not to an England team forced to withstand three and a quarter hours of dripping torture.

Three and a quarter hours for an unbeaten 33! Three and a quarter hours of admirable mind numbing commitment during which the changing cloud formations over Harare Sports Club were dramatic by comparison.

By the time that heavy rain forced the abandonment of the second day, four balls into the final session, Flower had chaperoned Zimbabwe to 93 for two in 48 overs, only 63 behind England's first innings total. At this rate he will reach his century early on Sunday morning and, if he does, Zimbabwe will have visions of their first series victory since achieving Test status.

The embarrassment for England, if that occurs, needs little underlining, especially as they voted against Zimbabwe's application for full membership. Losing to the weakest Test nation is hardly the most encouraging way to prepare for next summer's Ashes series.

Flower played a monumental role in Zimbabwe's only victory in 22 Tests. His unbeaten 201 against Pakistan on this ground two years ago engineered a win by an innings and 64 runs amid allegations of match rigging against Pakistan's captain, Salim Malik.

If there is one asset that shines from Flower at the crease it is his honesty. Honesty of stroke and honesty of purpose. He has a puritanical look that hints at unfathomed patience and his only concession to flair is a minor flourish at the end of his forward defensive stroke, like a thin strand of tinsel on an otherwise undecorated Christmas tree.

England will swear that they should already be rid of him, and the Sky TV replays, complete with zoom in pictures, support their contention. On 29, Flower dallied with a leg glance against Croft and was caught down the leg side by Stewart, but umpire Tiffin was unmoved.

Three strokes remain in the mind. Croft's introduction tempted him into two lofted leg side hits in quick succession. If that was an unexpected indulgence, it was nothing compared to the sight much later of Flower striving down the pitch to lift Tufnell one bounce into the long off advertising hoardings.

Suitably, the ball fell near a spectator in a John Major mask, whose expression suggested that the day was all extremely rewarding. At least, it looked like a mask. If it was the real John Major, Flower can expect a last minute entry in the New Year honours' list.

Flower has some way to go today before he can think in terms of world records. Trevor Bailey, compiler of the slowest Test half century, virtually six hours in Brisbane in 1958, was here yesterday. One of his duties was as a tour host, and there was no more appropriate person to have to keep the spectators happy.

Bailey was barracked in Brisbane, but Flower proceeded in virtual silence. Memories of England's self destruction on the first day entirely vindicated his approach on a sluggish, holding pitch on which anything more ambitious than a furtive prod is a high risk stroke.

England's attack is not suited to this surface. Much as Mullally, Gough and White sought to adapt, and match Zimbabwe's line and length discipline, all three are natural hit the pitch bowlers. Gough, indeed, volunteered the view after bowling out Matabeleland earlier in the tour that he was "not a line and length bowler" and considering that admission he stuck at it fairly well.

Silverwood, who might have relished such conditions, has been dropped for the insurance of an extra batsman - from a side that, according to David Lloyd, murdered, steam rollered and hammered Zimbabwe in the drawn Test in Bulawayo.

Older English spectators wondered how this old fashioned surface would have suited the likes of Brian Statham, Tom Cartwright, Don Shepherd and Derek Shackleton. Others considered the present county contingent and proposed unlikely names such as Tim Munton, Peter Hartley, Steve Watkin and even Ian Austin. What was clear is that four day cricket on flat pitches is little preparation for this.

Earlier England added 19 to their overnight 137 for nine, streak eventually bowling Tuthell off bat and stomach to leave Crawley, who had resisted for 220 minutes, stranded on 47. They then managed two wickets, Mullally's out swinger accounting for Dekker, White switching around the wicket to deceive Campbell into cutting a shortish delivery to first slip.

But the day belonged to Flower. Even with such a small total to defend, there were suggestions that Atherton might have attacked a little more to tempt Flower into indiscretion. Tempt Flower? He would have had no luck if he had donned a pair of devil's horns.