England reveal their playing XI for the Zimbabwe Test
Essex seamer Sam Cook will make his Test debut at Trent Bridge as England kickstart their home summer on Thursday, May 22, with a one-off Test against Zimbabwe, who last played against them in 2003.
England's top order remains pretty much the same as the one that played against New Zealand in their previous Test series late last year, with Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root and Harry Brook forming their batting core.
Ben Stokes, whose presence feels like a catalyst to lift the side, according to the head coach Brendon McCullum, is back after nursing a hamstring injury and will be leading the side. Jamie Smith will be behind the wickets and the young offie Shoaib Bashir makes it into the XI as well.
Along with Gus Atkinson, the pace attack is expected to be led by Josh Tongue, who made a memorable Test debut with a fifer against Ireland at Lord's. Cook replaces Matthew Potts as the third seamer in the side.
This is the first time Stokes' side will be without the services of both Stuart Broad and James Anderson at home, following the latter's retirement last year.
England playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Sam Cook, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.
McCullum believes they will start as the favourites against the Chevrons but would need to make good decisions under pressure.
The former Kiwi captain, along with Stokes, has been a major reason for the turnaround in Test fortunes for England. After their previous successful series against the Kiwis, England would hope to continue to ride on McCullum's approach for favourable results, ahead of a long Test season against India and Australia.
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