England Announces Playing XI for Zimbabwe Test

England has officially revealed its lineup for the upcoming Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, with Essex bowler Sam Cook poised to make his debut in Test cricket.

Head Coach Brendon McCullum confirmed the selection two days ahead of the match, which is scheduled to commence on Thursday.

Cook will feature in a revamped seam attack, which also includes the return of Nottinghamshire’s Josh Tongue. Tongue made a strong impression during his appearances at Lord’s in 2023 but has been sidelined for a significant period due to injury.

Gus Atkinson, a notable performer for England during the home summer of 2024, will complete the pace bowling trio. Shoaib Bashir will maintain his position as the team’s primary spin bowler.

Test captain Ben Stokes is also expected to bowl, marking his return to competitive cricket since the Test tour of New Zealand in December. Stokes underwent surgery on his hamstring in January.

Matthew Potts, who was named in England’s squads for the upcoming series against the West Indies in the shorter formats, has been excluded from the Test XI.

Batter James Rew, who joined the squad as a late replacement after Jordan Cox sustained an injury, has also been left out of the final selection.

Cook’s inclusion follows James Anderson’s retirement from Test cricket and the continued absence of Chris Woakes due to a long-term injury.

With the seam attack comprising only 13 Test caps among them—11 for Atkinson and two for Tongue—the bowling unit is relatively inexperienced.

Reflecting on his selection, Cook stated, “I’ve maintained a positive outlook.”

  • “In professional sport, you face challenges like setbacks and injuries, but having a clear goal has kept me motivated. I am appreciative of the journey, and I never considered giving up,” he added.

Cook strengthened his chances during the winter by declining several T20 franchise offers to participate in the England Lions tour of Australia.

He performed well in the unofficial Test in Sydney, allaying concerns about his ability to perform with the Kookaburra ball in overseas conditions.

“At 27, I feel like a more complete cricketer due to the experiences I’ve gained,” he said. “The Lions programme and being around the Test setup in recent years have facilitated a smooth transition into the squad, and I have felt very welcome. The environment has been great, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and eager to contribute by taking wickets.”

England Playing XI for Zimbabwe Test:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), James Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Sam Cook, Shoaib Bashir