Sam Cook, a fast bowler from Essex, is expected to become the 719th player to play Test cricket for England. He has been included in England’s playing eleven for the one-time four-day Test match against Zimbabwe, which begins at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday, May 22.
In recent years, the 27-year-old has consistently performed well in County cricket. Sam Cook will be included in the starting lineup against the team captained by Craig Ervine, according to England’s head coach Brendon McCullum.
In his 89 first-class appearances, Sam Cook has taken 321 wickets with a strike rate of 45.20 and an average of 19.85. In red-ball cricket, he has scored 14 five-fors.
In addition to Cook, the bowling assault includes off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, Josh Tongue, and Gus Atkinson. The 13-man team will be without two players: wicketkeeper-batter James Rew and right-arm seamer Matthew Potts. Jordan Cox, who made a century for Essex earlier this month but had a side strain, was replaced late by the latter. Despite their inexperience, the England bowling attack is incredibly talented.
Zak Crawley maintains his position as an opener on the expected lines. Ollie Pope returns to No. 3 from the middle order in the meanwhile. When Jamie Smith returns from paternity leave, he will put on the wicketkeeping gloves.
Following hamstring surgery in January, England’s red-ball captain Ben Stokes is also anticipated to roll his arm over when needed. Since the Test tour of New Zealand in December, this will be the seasoned all-rounder’s first competitive game.
In their most recent Test match, England defeated the Kiwis 2-1 in a three-match series played in New Zealand in November and December. As they prepare to host India in June, the Three Lions would like to perform well against Zimbabwe.
The England XI
Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Sam Cook, Shoaib Bashir, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), James Smith (WK), and Zak Crawley.
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