Ben Stokes has been cleared to captain England against Zimbabwe in a one-off Test at Trent Bridge from May 22. Recently recovered from injury, he will lead a 13-man squad including uncapped Sam Cook, amidst several key injuries. Zimbabwe returns for their first Test in England since 2003 following a recent victory over Bangladesh.
Ben Stokes has been confirmed fit to lead England in their upcoming one-off Test against Zimbabwe, as disclosed in a 13-man squad announced on Friday. The 33-year-old all-rounder has recently recovered from hamstring surgery, having suffered his second hamstring tear in five months while playing in New Zealand last December.
Despite not playing for his county side Durham this season, Stokes is set to captain England for the opening Test of their home season, which will take place at Trent Bridge from May 22 to 25. This match is slated to be a four-day event, unlike the usual five-day format.
England’s selector, Luke Wright, expressed confidence in Stokes’ capabilities, saying that he anticipates the all-rounder will contribute effectively with both bat and ball. Even though Stokes has not been involved in any competitive matches leading up to this Test, Wright is optimistic about his readiness. “All things being equal, he’s going to be fine to play a full part,” Wright noted. He did mention that there may be some restrictions on Stokes’ bowling to manage his return carefully, but asserted that the player is eager to perform.
The squad also features uncapped Essex seamer, Sam Cook, who could potentially make his Test debut given the recent injuries affecting other pacemen Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes, and Olly Stone. Jofra Archer is still not deemed ready for red-ball cricket. Despite questions surrounding Cook’s pace, given his impressive tally of 318 first-class wickets at an average below 20, Wright highlighted Cook’s ability to swing and seam the ball effectively, noting, “He is not just a swing bowler, he swings and seams the ball. He gets bounce. He’s a highly skilled bowler.”
Alongside Cook, Essex teammate Jordan Cox is another uncapped player in the squad and might serve as a back-up batsman. Jacob Bethell, who performed well during England’s tour of New Zealand, is currently engaged in the Indian Premier League.
Nottinghamshire’s Josh Tongue is aiming for a return to Test cricket at his home ground after last playing during the 2023 Ashes, and may join Gus Atkinson in the pace lineup. Additionally, off-spinner Shoaib Bashir retains his spot despite underwhelming performances in the County Championship this season.
This match will be notable as it marks Zimbabwe’s first Test in England since 2003. Currently positioned at the bottom of the Test rankings, Zimbabwe has recently enjoyed a morale boost by securing their first Test win in four years against Bangladesh, triumphed by three wickets in Sylhet.
Wright emphasized, “With anyone, you never underestimate them. For them to beat Bangladesh is a great effort. It will be great welcoming them over here, it’s been a long time. It’s a great opportunity for the guys to get stuck in.” In terms of the summer ahead, the match at Trent Bridge is part of a busy schedule for England, which also includes a five-Test series against India and prepares for the 2025/26 Ashes in Australia.
In summary, Ben Stokes’ return as captain for England against Zimbabwe marks a significant layer of excitement for the team and its fans. His recovery from injury is a key highlight, showcasing his readiness for the home series. With new players like Sam Cook in the squad following notable injuries to established stars, England is poised for what could be an intriguing match. Zimbabwe’s resurgence adds further anticipation to this long-awaited encounter in England.
Original Source: www.cricketnmore.com
