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News18
22-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
Centuries From Top-3 Batters Help England Close Day 1's Play At 498/3 Vs Zimbabwe
Last Updated: At stumps on the first day at Trent Bridge, an utterly dominant England were 498 for three after number three Pope top-scored with 169 not out at better than a run-a-ball. England's top three of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope all made hundreds as they piled on the agony for a hapless Zimbabwe in a one-off four-day Test in Nottingham on Thursday. At stumps on the first day at Trent Bridge, an utterly dominant England were 498 for three after number three Pope top-scored with 169 not out at better than a run-a-ball. Pope's fourth score of over 150 at this level further emphasised the gulf between the sides in what is Zimbabwe's first Test in England in 22 years. Left-hander Duckett led the initial run-spree with 140 on his Nottinghamshire home ground and opening partner Crawley made 124. Not since the same trio all reached three figures against Pakistan at Rawalpindi in December 2022 had England's top three all made hundreds on the first day of a Test. Crawley's century came after he had managed just 212 runs in his previous eight Tests at an average of 15.14, with Thursday's innings just his fifth hundred in 54 matches at this level. But all three hundreds were made against a callow Zimbabwe attack which bore little relation to the sterner challenges awaiting England in an upcoming five-Test series at home to India before they head to Australia for the Ashes later this year. Ngarava injury Zimbabwe were further handicapped when Richard Ngarava, arguably the pick of their four pacemen with none for 42 in nine overs, left the field shortly after lunch having pulled up clutching his back and hamstrings when chasing a ball. Ngarava returned late in the final session but did not bowl again before leaving the field once more. Earlier, Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine opted to bowl after winning the toss in the hope his attack could utilise the cloud cover above Trent Bridge, a ground renowned for aiding pacemen. His decision to field was all the more understandable given Zimbabwe's 138-run thrashing by a youthful County Select XI in their lone warm-up match last week. But while Zimbabwe's four quicks got the occasional ball to deviate sharply, they also repeatedly over-pitched and bowled too short. At lunch, England were 130 without loss off 26 overs, with Duckett 75 not out and Crawley unbeaten on 53. It was not long before the aggressive Duckett completed a hundred off exactly 100 balls, including 15 fours. Having got to three figures, Duckett hit the first six of the match when he pulled Tanaka Chivanga, whose 12 wicketless overs cost an expensive 83 runs. Duckett, however, exited in familiar fashion. Having thrashed spinner Wessly Madhevere's first ball through the covers for four and pulled the second for six, Duckett tamely chipped the third to cover where Ben Curran — the brother of England internationals Sam and Tom and the son of the late Zimbabwe all-rounder Kevin — held the catch that ended a blistering innings. England were then 231-1 following their first three-figure opening partnership since Duckett and Crawley put on 109 against Ireland at Lord's in 2023. Come tea, Crawley was 93 not out and Pope unbeaten on 49. Crawley, after a trademark cover-driven four got him to 98, went to a 145-ball century, including 12 boundaries, with a sedate single. But having suffered what appeared to be an attack of cramp, Crawley was lbw trying to sweep spinner Sikandar Raza to the delight of a small but voluble band of Zimbabwe supporters. Pope completed a century when he forced Raza for his 14th four as he extended his own record by becoming the first batsman to score his first eight Test hundreds against different opponents. Such was England's dominance it made little difference when star batsman Joe Root holed out off persevering paceman Blessing Muzarabani for 34. England captain Ben Stokes is making a comeback to cricket this week after the all-rounder's lengthy rehabilitation from his latest hamstring tear. Location : Nottingham First Published:
France 24
22-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
England openers share unbeaten century stand in lone Zimbabwe Test
Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine, in his side's first Test in England in 22 years, won the toss in overcast conditions and decided to bowl in the hope his four-man pace attack could make the most of the cloud cover above Trent Bridge, a ground renowned for aiding swing and seam bowlers. But despite the grey skies and a green-tinged pitch, England reached lunch on the first day of four in a strong position at 130 without loss from 26 overs. Left-hander Duckett, on his Nottinghamshire home ground, was 75 not out and Crawley, who had a woeful average of under nine during England's preceding Test series in New Zealand, 53 not out. Ervine's decision to field was all the more understandable given Zimbabwe had suffered a 138-run thrashing at the hands of a youthful County Select XI in their lone warm-up match last week. But while his attack got the occasional ball to deviate sharply, they too often failed to make the most of the favourable conditions as a result of either over-pitching or bowling too short. The closest Zimbabwe came to a breakthrough was when Crawley, on 10, chipped a drive just past the outstretched hand of new-ball bowler Blessing Muzarabani. But when Muzarabani dropped short, Crawley pulled him for four and the Kent batsman also unfurled several trademark cover-drives. Duckett, meanwhile, batted in his usual aggressive style although there was a touch of good fortune when he went to his fifty by edging a cut over the slips off Tanaka Chivanga for a ninth four in 47 balls faced. Crawley followed his opening partner to the landmark in 76 balls. Zimbabwe's fielding became increasingly ragged as the session wore on, with a powerful Duckett drive somehow evading the despairing dives of two men stationed in the covers. England captain Ben Stokes is making a comeback to cricket this week after the all-rounder's lengthy rehabilitation from his latest hamstring tear. This match also acts as a warm-up for England's upcoming five-match series at home to India before they head to Australia for the Ashes later this year.
France 24
22-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Zimbabwe bowl against England in one-off Test
The overcast conditions in Nottingham promised to aid a Zimbabwe attack featuring 6ft 8in paceman Blessing Muzarabani, who has already taken 26 Test wickets at an average of under 19 this year. "Due to the overhead conditions, hopefully we can utilise the first session and get a little bit out of the ball," said Ervine at the toss. Zimbabwe came into this four-day match on the back of a 138-run thrashing by a County Select XI in their lone warm-up game at Grace Road. But Ervine said: "Usually our preparation is a lot shorter than this. We've really enjoyed spending time in Leicester. Our guys got a lot out of that. "It's a special occasion today. The guys are really excited to get going and be part of this Test match. The Test in 2003, my brother (Sean) was involved, and he's watching today. It's a momentous occasion for all of us and it will only sink in later down the line." England had already named their team on Tuesday, with Sam Cook given a Test debut. Cook's place was a reward for one of county cricket's most consistent wicket-takers with Essex. The 27-year-old's 321 first-class wickets have come at an average of only 19.85. The clash with Zimbabwe is only England's second home Test without retired fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad -- who presented Cook with his England cap -- and the injured Chris Woakes, in the past 18 years. Zak Crawley has been retained as one of England's opening batsmen alongside Ben Duckett. England captain Ben Stokes is making a comeback after the all-rounder's lengthy rehabilitation from his latest hamstring tear. "Generally, here the wicket is good at Trent Bridge," said Stokes. "Go out with the bat in hand and put a big score on the board. "It is exciting for Cooky (Sam Cook). Broady (Stuart Broad) gave him the cap and said 'he hasn't knocked the door down, but he kicked it down'." The Zimbabwe Test is a warm-up for England's five-match series against India before they head to Australia for the Ashes later this year. Teams Zimbabwe: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine (capt), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wkt), Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, Victor Nyauchi © 2025 AFP
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Ahead of India series England to play one-off Test against Zimbabwe after 22 years
England cricket team England and Zimbabwe are set to clash in a rare four-day Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, from Thursday, their first international meeting in 18 years. The match serves as vital preparation for England's packed season while marking a symbolic return for Zimbabwe to the Test arena. Zimbabwe last played a Test in England in 2003 , the same series where Jimmy Anderson debuted. Their cricketing journey since has been turbulent, with a complete Test hiatus between 2005 and 2011 due to political interference. From 2022 to 2024, they featured in just four Tests, but are now on an upward path with 10 scheduled between December 2023 and August 2024. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The ECB is paying Zimbabwe a touring fee for being England's first Test opponents this summer. ECB chief Richard Gould highlighted the board's responsibility to sustain bilateral cricket. Zimbabwe arrive on the back of a 138-run loss to a County Select XI in Leicester but recently drew a Test series 1-1 in Bangladesh, their first win since 2021. Quiz: Who's that IPL player? England, currently ranked No. 2 in Tests, will treat this as a warm-up ahead of sterner tests: a five-match series against India and the Ashes in Australia. Sam Cook is set for a debut, with Josh Tongue returning and Gus Atkinson continuing his rise. Questions remain around Ben Stokes 's fitness post hamstring injury, and whether Shoaib Bashir will play. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Didn't Anyone Tell You About This Power Saver? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo India's probable Test squad for England Tour England head coach Brendon McCullum said the team is ready to "shoot for the stars" in the Bazball era . While traditionalists may frown at the four-day format, most Tests under McCullum and Stokes have not needed a fifth day. For England, it's a preparatory step; for Zimbabwe, it's part of a long road back to Test relevance with upcoming series against South Africa and New Zealand also lined up this summer. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
