- Sam Cook and Jordan Cox have been named in the England squad v Zimbabwe
- Fast bowelr Josh Tongue has been recalled for the one off Test at Trent Bridge
England have included the Essex duo of Sam Cook and Jordan Cox in a 13-man squad for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge starting on May 22.
Cook’s inclusion for what would be his Test debut at the age of 27 has long been flagged, with his accurate swing-and-seam bowling the perfect fit for a venue that was once Jimmy Anderson’s favourite hunting ground.
Cox was deprived of a first cap in New Zealand over the winter after breaking his thumb in training ahead of the first Test in Christchurch. But with Jamie Smith returning from paternity leave to reclaim the gloves, Cox – who had been earmarked for the wicketkeeping role in New Zealand – looks like the spare batter.
There is a recall for fast bowler Josh Tongue, whose 15 wickets at 24 have helped Nottinghamshire to the top of the county championship’s division one. He last played a Test in 2023, and has only recently returned from a long-term injury. Surrey’s Gus Atkinson and Durham’s Matthew Potts make up an inexperienced seam attack.
With a five-Test series starting against India on June 20, captain Ben Stokes – who has been working his way back to fitness after hamstring surgery, is unlikely to bowl.
Shoaib Bashir retains his place as the frontline spinner, despite taking just two wickets at 152 each during a three-match loan spell with Glamorgan. And the question of what to with Ollie Pope has been deferred because Jacob Bethell – who enjoyed a successful first tour in New Zealand – will be at the IPL.
Sam Cook has been included in the England squad for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe
Jordan Cox has also been named in the squad for the one-off Test at Trent Bridge
There is a recall for fast bowler Josh Tongue, who has impressed for Nottinghamshire
The four-day Test will be Zimbabwe’s first against England since 2003.
Meanwhile, the BBC will continue to broadcast highlights of matches involving the England men’s and women’s teams, as well as live coverage of The Hundred, after extending their deal with the ECB for the next four years.
Four live T20 internationals, however, are set to move to Channel 5.
