The Cricket Board of England and Wales (ECB) announced on Friday, May 2nd, a 13-member team for a one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge from May 22nd.
The upcoming one-off Test against England will begin the international summer of England. The main highlight of their announcement was the return of test captain and veteran all-around Ben Stokes. He underwent surgery with a torn left hamstring and was removed from all cricket in December 2024.
Ben Stokes is back when ECB announces teams for a one-off test against Zimbabwe
Stokes was injured while bowling on the third day of his third Test against New Zealand. Since January 2025, the 33-year-old all-rounder has recovered from hamstring surgery. It was the second hamstring tear in the Star All-around in five months and maintained the same set-off while playing for the 100 for the North Superchargers in August 2024.
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Ben Stokes has not yet played for his county side Durham this season, but has been confirmed to return to the international arena in one-off Test matches between England and India ahead of the five-match Test series between India and India.
This historic one-off test match took place over a four-day period. In a media release, ECB said: “The English man has been named to a team of 13 players for a Lossy Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge. This historic fixture marks Zimbabwe’s first test on English soil since 2003 and is set to launch England Men’s International Summer on Thursday, May 22nd.”
Sam Cook and Jordan Cox win a Maiden Test call-up for Zimbabwe test
Meanwhile, the ECB handed two capless players (Cesex Duo Sam Cook and Jordan Cox) a Maiden Test call-up for a one-off Test match against Zimbabwe. Cook is lined up to make his Test debut at Trent Bridge. The 27-year-old has an impressive record in first class cricket, earning 318 wickets average under the age of 20.
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He was impressive on the England Lions’ recent tour of Australia. He scored 13 wickets in three matches. Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire seafarer Josh Tan has won a recall with the England Test team after his last play in Ashes in 2023.
The tongue has been in excellent shape this season, averaging 24 wickets at the county championships after recovering from a series of injuries. However, both Mark Wood and Bridon Kurse have not been cut by the team as they have recovered from their respective injuries.
England team for one-off Test match against Zimbabwe:
Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Zach Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tan.
ECB and BBC will expand their strategic partnership through 2028
Meanwhile, the ECB and the BBC have expanded their strategic partnership for the next four years. With the agreement, the BBC will continue to broadcast highlights of international matches between England’s men and women, with live coverage of 100 people.
The ECB statement said: “Trades that will be carried out between 2025 and 2028 will show highlights of England’s Male and Female International broadcast on BBC TV, BBC IPlayer and BBC Sport websites.
Live coverage of The Hundrement Men’s and Women’s Tournaments also remains at BBC Sports each year, covering eight doubleheaders each season, including opening matches and finals on TV and Iplayer. This will screen more live women’s games on the BBC than before. ”