Ben Stokes is set to captain England against Zimbabwe in a one-off Test later this month after recovering from hamstring surgery. Included in a 13-man squad announced recently, he is expected to contribute fully while managing his workload. Uncapped bowler Sam Cook could debut as the team deals with several injuries to pace bowlers. The Test will be held at Trent Bridge from May 22 to 25, marking Zimbabwe’s first Test in England since 2003.
Ben Stokes has been cleared to lead England in their upcoming one-off Test match against Zimbabwe, which is set to take place later this month. The 33-year-old all-rounder was included in the 13-man squad announced on Friday. Stokes has made a recovery from a hamstring surgery that he underwent after suffering an injury in New Zealand last December; this incident marked his second hamstring tear within five months.
While Stokes has yet to play for his county team Durham this season, he is gearing up to captain England in this opening match of their home season. The four-day Test will be held at Trent Bridge from May 22 to 25, a departure from the usual five-day format. England selector Luke Wright anticipates that Stokes will contribute fully with both bat and ball, although he has not participated in any competitive cricket leading up to the match.
Wright expressed confidence in Stokes’ readiness, stating, “All things being equal, he’s going to be fine to play a full part.” He did caution about possibly restricting the number of overs Stokes can bowl to minimize any risk as he returns. Stokes has been diligently practicing in the nets and is eager to get back to competitive cricket.
The squad also features uncapped Essex pacer Sam Cook, who may have a chance to debut in Nottingham given the injuries affecting Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes, and Olly Stone. Notably, Jofra Archer has not yet been deemed ready for red-ball international matches, keeping the door open for Cook. The 27-year-old has made a name for himself with 318 first-class wickets at an impressive average below 20, although skepticism remains about whether his speed is adequate for Test cricket.
Luke Wright commented on Cook’s skills, noting, “He swings and seams the ball; he gets bounce. He’s a highly skilled bowler.” Cook’s inclusion comes at a time when England is in need of precision bowlers, especially with the retirements of stalwarts James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
Another uncapped player in the squad is Jordan Cox, who may serve as a reserve batsman alongside Jacob Bethell, who is currently competing in the Indian Premier League. Nottinghamshire paceman Josh Tongue is also looking to return to Test cricket on home soil after his last appearance during the 2023 Ashes.
Shoaib Bashir remains in the squad despite his inconsistent performances in the County Championship to date. For Zimbabwe, this will be a significant milestone as it marks their first Test in England since 2003. Currently ranked last in Test cricket, the Zimbawian team recently achieved a notable win against Bangladesh, claiming their first Test victory in four years.
Luke Wright addressed the challenge posed by Zimbabwe, asserting, “With anyone, you never underestimate them. It will be great welcoming them over here. It’s a great opportunity for the guys to get stuck in.”
Looking ahead, the match at Trent Bridge is just the beginning of a busy home summer for Stokes’ England team, which will also take on India in a five-Test series before the Ashes begin in Australia in 2025.
In summary, Ben Stokes is fit to captain England in the upcoming Test against Zimbabwe, marking an important season opener. The inclusion of uncapped bowler Sam Cook brings a fresh dynamic to the squad amid injury challenges. As Zimbabwe looks to build on their recent success against Bangladesh, England aims to start strong in what is expected to be a demanding summer of cricket. With both teams facing unique pressures, the match promises to be an intriguing contest at Trent Bridge.
Original Source: www.cricketnmore.com
