After undergoing rehabilitation and missing the Champions Trophy 2025 as well, captain Ben Stokes is fully recovered and ready to lead the Three Lions once more. The England team has been announced for the one-time Test match against Zimbabwe, which begins on Thursday, May 22. Trent Bridge in Nottingham will host the match. Although the match will not be included in the World Test Championship calendar, it is significant for England because they will play five matches against India later in the year, followed by the crucial Ashes a little later.
The team, which is generally quite experienced, also includes the uncapped pair of Jordan Cox and Sam Cook. Harry Brook, the newly appointed white-ball captain, has also been added to the roster. Jordan Cox will serve as Jamie Smith’s backup when it comes to wicketkeeping.
Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley are anticipated to open under Ben Stokes, while Joe Root and Ollie Pope will make up the top order.
Shoaib Bashir has been added as the only spin option in the meanwhile. Gus Atkinson is the leader of the well-selected fast-bowling unit, which also includes Josh Tongue, Potts, and Cox as the other three pacemen. Remarkably, veteran all-rounder Chris Woakes has not been called up, while Mark Wood has been out for at least four months, though there is still hope that he will play in the Ashes.
In reference to Zimbabwe, the visitors will be entering the series fresh off a strong showing against Bangladesh, where they drew 1-1. The series ended on equal terms as Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz tore apart the Craige Ervine-led team in the Chattogram match, saving them from a humiliation at home. Zimbabwe had won the first Test match at Sylhet.
England’s squad for the 2025 one-time Test match against Zimbabwe
Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jordan Cox, Sam Cook, Matthew Potts, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (captain), and Zak Crawley
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