Just two days before the start of the Test against Zimbabwe, England have announced their playing XI.
Sam Cook has earned his call-up to the national team largely due to injuries to several of England’s first-choice fast bowlers. As a result, the 27-year-old seamer is set to make his international debut in the upcoming Test against Zimbabwe.
England will play their only Test of the series starting Thursday at Trent Bridge. Head coach Brendon McCullum named the XI on Tuesday.
In a first-class career spanning nine years, Cook has played 89 matches and taken 321 wickets at an average of 19.85. He has claimed five wickets in an innings 14 times and taken 10 wickets in a match on four occasions.
This match also marks the return of pacer Josh Tongue to the national setup. After impressing in two Tests at Lord’s in 2023, Tongue was sidelined for much of the season due to injury.
Completing the pace trio is Gus Atkinson, who has been in the spotlight since making his debut last year. The 27-year-old has taken 52 wickets in 11 Tests at an average of 22.15, with three five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match.
Spinner Shoaib Bashir is also included in the XI.
Captain Ben Stokes, who underwent hamstring surgery in January, may return to bowling duties in this match. This will be his first competitive appearance since England’s tour of New Zealand last December.
England XI for the Zimbabwe Test
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Sam Cook, Shoaib Bashir.
