- England claimed an innings and 45 run victory over Zimbabwe inside three days
- There were numerous positives for Ben Stokes’ side but there is plenty to ponder
- Sam Cook will have wanted to make more of a debut impact but it is hard to judge
England got out of this Test match almost everything they would have wanted.
Runs for Zak Crawley? Tick. Runs for Ollie Pope? Tick. Wickets for Shoaib Bashir? Tick. Overs under Ben Stokes’ belt? Tick.
The first three came into this game under pressure, lacking confidence and probably feeling a little bit low. But from where they were when they arrived at Trent Bridge, they will leave feeling so much more comfortable.
With Jacob Bethell waiting in the wings, if Crawley or Pope had nicked off early a couple of times, the noise around their positions in the team would have only grown louder.
While Bashir, having been shipped out on loan to Glamorgan, may have come here feeling a bit of a stranger and outsider in the dressing room.
But that is one thing he certainly is not in this England team. The way he is looked after and made to feel welcome is testament to the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, who are constantly trying to build up the confidence of these people.
England got almost everything they would have wanted in their victory over Zimbabwe
Stokes (second from left) looked good with the ball while others left feeling more comfortable
Shoaib Bashir set a new career best and took six wickets as England won in three days
Stokes getting overs under his belt and looking so good with the ball was also invaluable. He made things happen and was England’s best seamer, but one downside from the Test was that he did not get too much of a bat.
That won’t faze him too much. When you look at previous series, he chooses not to play in warm-ups and tends to feel best when fresh.
But he has been in and out of the side through injury and his form has fallen away with the bat. He is not that prolific run-scorer that he has been in the past.
We all rave about his captaincy, and I rave as much as the next man, but his other valuable asset is what he does with ball and bat.
You can beat Zimbabwe without Stokes contributing with the bat, but against India and Australia, you are going to need meaningful contributions from him.
The only other negative from the Test was probably Sam Cook, who would have wanted to have made more of an impact on his debut.
At the pace he bowls, he has to be at his absolute best to make sure he is penetrative in Test match cricket.
It is hard to judge after just three days of Test cricket. But he will not leave Trent Bridge feeling like he did himself justice.
Ollie Pope came into the Test under pressure and the noise threatened to grow louder
Sam Cook will have wanted to make more of an impact and will not feel he did himself justice
England have plenty to ponder but competition for places is a good problem for them to have
England now have plenty to ponder before the first Test against India on June 20.
Bethell is a super talent and I had no problem with him staying in the IPL and developing his white-ball skills, with the T20 World Cup being held in India next year.
But the decision he made meant the two lads in possession of their Test place got runs here – and I am always more for sticking with the men in possession.
Competition for places is, though, a good problem for England to have.
I could not be more excited about the two iconic series coming up.
