Ben Stokes has been cleared to captain England in a one-off Test against Zimbabwe, as announced in a 13-man squad. Stokes is returning from hamstring surgery, while uncapped seamer Sam Cook may debut due to injuries within the bowling lineup. The match at Trent Bridge marks Zimbabwe’s first Test in England since 2003.
Ben Stokes has been cleared to lead England in a one-off Test against Zimbabwe later this month, as confirmed in a 13-man squad announced on Friday. The seasoned all-rounder, aged 33, has been recovering from hamstring surgery after a tear suffered in New Zealand last December, which was his second injury in five months. Though Stokes has yet to play for county side Durham this season, he is set to captain the national team at Trent Bridge from May 22 to 25, where they will face Zimbabwe in a four-day game.
England selector Luke Wright expressed optimism about Stokes’s involvement in the match, particularly with both bat and ball, despite the player not having played any competitive cricket prior. “All things being equal, he’s going to be fine to play a full part,” Wright remarked. He added that while they might have to manage Stokes’s overs to keep caution during his return, he expects Stokes to be in top form. “He’s been non-stop now in the nets getting ready, he’s ready and raring to go and excited about getting stuck in,” Wright stated.
Additionally, uncapped Essex seamer Sam Cook has made the squad and might be poised for his Test debut in Nottingham, especially as several other pacemen like Mark Wood and Brydon Carse are sidelined due to injuries. Jofra Archer is still not ready for red-ball international duty. Cook, who is 27 and boasts 318 first-class wickets at an average below 20, faces questions about whether his pace will be effective at the Test level. However, with England greats like James Anderson and Stuart Broad retired, Cook may become a critical figure in the bowling lineup.
Wright praised Cook’s abilities, noting, “He is not just a swing bowler, he swings and seams the ball. He gets bounce. He’s a highly skilled bowler, yes he’s not up there at 85, 86 mph and that’s fine but what he has got is incredible skill.” Cook joins teammate Jordan Cox, another uncapped player, who may serve as the reserve batsman.
Jacob Bethell, a standout performer during England’s recent tour of New Zealand, is currently competing in the Indian Premier League, while Josh Tongue, who has not played since the 2023 Ashes, hopes to make a Test return at his home ground, possibly alongside Gus Atkinson. Meanwhile, off-spinner Shoaib Bashir retains his spot despite lackluster performances in the County Championship.
This match marks Zimbabwe’s first Test in England since 2003. Despite their place at the bottom of the Test rankings, Zimbabwe achieved a significant win last week against Bangladesh, claiming their first Test victory in four years. Wright emphasized the need to bring an appropriate mindset to the match, saying, “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.”
The upcoming Trent Bridge fixture kicks off a busy home summer for England, which includes a five-Test series against India before the highly anticipated 2025/26 Ashes series in Australia.
In summary, Ben Stokes has been declared fit to captain England against Zimbabwe after recovering from surgery. The 13-man squad includes new possibilities like Sam Cook, potentially leading to his Test debut. The match at Trent Bridge is significant, being Zimbabwe’s first in England in two decades, and with Zimbabwe recently securing a Test win, it is a prime opportunity for England to perform well. The series marks a busy summer for the national team, leading into future series.
Original Source: www.cricketnmore.com
