Preview: One-off Test: England vs. Zimbabwe - prediction and team news

Test cricket is set to return to Trent Bridge this week, with England playing host to Zimbabwe in a four-day one-off match which gets underway on Thursday.

Almost two years after being invited to play a Test match in England, Zimbabwe have finally managed to make the trip, marking he first time these sides will meet in the longest format of the game since 2003.

Match preview

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Ben Stokes and his squad are set to embark on an intense and highly competitive summer, with Team India also slated to visit the UK for a five-match Test series, which gets underway on June 20.

While most expect that the Three Lions should have few problems in winning this match, they will be eager to deliver a commanding performance and set the tone early, as they build toward the Ashes in November.

In terms of selection, despite several high-profile batting collapses in recent times, England's top order remains largely unchanged, with the selectors seemingly prioritising continuity over form, albeit questionably.

That is especially evident with the selection of Zak Crawley, who has not scored a Test ton since 2023 against the Baggy Greens and averaged a mere 8.66 in the team's last series against New Zealand last year.

As for the head-to-head standings, England and Zimbabwe have faced each other in six Test matches, with the Three Lions winning three and the other three ending in draws - Zimbabwe are still in search of their first Test victory against the Brits.

© Imago

Meanwhile, the visitors are entering their most pivotal year in over a decade, as financial stability has returned to a large extent at the administrative level, resulting in the team looking forward to 11 Tests in 2025 - the joint-most among all 12 ICC full member nations.

Zimbabwe will head into this week's one-off Test against England following a 138-run loss to a little-known Professional County Club Select XI, having failed to survive the final day in Leicester.

Chasing a target of 392 after the PCC XI declared at 464/7 early on the final day, Zimbabwe quickly stumbled to 51 for 4 just after lunch, with Hampshire's Eddie Jack dismantling three of the top four.

Zimbabwe, who fielded 13 players in the match, had to settle for a productive four-day workout that featured first-innings half-centuries from opener Brian Bennett and Sean Williams, along with a five-wicket haul from left-arm bowler Newman Nyamhuri.

Although they have won only one of their last 12 Tests (with two draws and nine losses), Zimbabwe's bowling attack has claimed 70 wickets in matches this year, fueling optimism within the camp for a solid showing this one.

Team News

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Essex fast bowler Sam Cook, who has taken 10 wickets in his last three County Championship matches this season, is set to make his Test debut for England following his impressive recent form.

Stokes is back from injury for the first time since December 2023 to strengthen the middle order, while Joe Root continues to anchor the England batting lineup as its cornerstone.

However, the Three Lions have been handed a few setbacks in the lead-up to this match, especially in the bowling department, with Mark Wood, Olly Stone and Brydon Carse out injured, while Jofra Archer is still away at the IPL.

While the match against the PCC XI was a bit of a disappointment for Zimbabwe, from a batting standpoint, there were several positives, with Brian Bennett, Sean Williams, Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga and Nick Welch each registering at least one half-century during the match.

Adding to the visitors' Test experience under the leadership of 39-year-old captain Craig Ervine is Sikandar Raza, who departed the Pakistan Super League on Monday to fly to Nottingham for only his second Test match of 2025.

England squad: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Ollie Pope, James Rew, Shoaib Bashir, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Samuel James Cook, Josh Tongue

Zimbabwe squad: Craig Ervine, Ben Curran, Nick Welch, Brian Bennett, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Clive Madande, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Richard Ngarava, Trevor Gwandu, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi

© PA Photos

We say: England to win

While England have not been at their best in the longest format in recent times, winning two of their last five Tests, we feel they will be too strong for the visitors in this match, and should secure a fairly straightforward victory.

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Written by
Devesh Jaganath

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