England has named a 13-man squad for their upcoming one-off Test match against Zimbabwe, set to begin on May 22 at Trent Bridge.

The selection includes two players from Essex: Sam Cook and Jordan Cox.

Sam Cook’s Long-Awaited Test Debut

Sam Cook, at 27, is poised to make his Test debut, a long-awaited moment for the bowler who has been on the radar for some time.

Known for his precise swing-and-seam bowling, Cook’s skills are well-suited to the conditions at Trent Bridge, a venue that once saw Jimmy Anderson dominate.

It’s the perfect stage for Cook to showcase his abilities.

Jordan Cox’s Return to the Squad

Jordan Cox, who was set for his Test debut during England’s winter tour to New Zealand, will also be part of the squad.

Unfortunately, Cox suffered a thumb injury in training, preventing him from playing.

However, with Jamie Smith returning from paternity leave to reclaim the wicketkeeping role, Cox, who was originally earmarked as the keeper in New Zealand, will now serve as a backup batter.

A Recall for Josh Tongue

Fast bowler Josh Tongue is also back in the fold, making a return to the squad after his last Test appearance in 2023.

Tongue, who has recently overcome a long-term injury, has been in excellent form, taking 15 wickets at an average of 24 to help Nottinghamshire top the Division One standings in the County Championship.

Alongside him, Gus Atkinson from Surrey and Matthew Potts from Durham will bolster an inexperienced seam attack.

Ben Stokes: Ready to Bowl Despite Injury Recovery

Captain Ben Stokes, who has been recovering from hamstring surgery, is fit enough to bowl in this Test match.

Despite a five-Test series against India starting on June 20, Stokes will be available to lead his team and contribute with the ball.

Shoaib Bashir’s Role as Frontline Spinner

Shoaib Bashir retains his place as the team’s main spinner, despite a less-than-impressive stint with Glamorgan, where he took only two wickets at 152 runs each during a three-match loan spell.

His position remains secure for this upcoming Test, with the team likely to rely on him for spin duties.

Uncertainty Around Ollie Pope and Jacob Bethell’s Absence

The question of Ollie Pope’s place in the squad has been put on hold, as Jacob Bethell, who had a successful tour in New Zealand, will be unavailable due to his commitments in the IPL.

This leaves a bit of uncertainty around Pope’s role in the team for the time being.

Full England Test Squad

The full squad for England’s Test match against Zimbabwe is as follows:

Ben Stokes (captain)
Gus Atkinson
Shoaib Bashir
Harry Brook
Sam Cook
Jordan Cox
Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Ollie Pope
Matthew Potts
Joe Root
Jamie Smith
Josh Tongue

A Historic Test for Zimbabwe

This match will mark Zimbabwe’s first Test against England since 2003, adding an extra layer of excitement to the encounter.

BBC Extends Coverage Deal with ECB

In other cricket news, the BBC has extended its broadcasting deal with the ECB for another four years.

This ensures continued coverage of England’s men’s and women’s teams, including highlights of their matches and live coverage of The Hundred.

However, four live T20 internationals will be moving to Channel 5 as part of the new agreement.

What’s Next?

With the Zimbabwe Test on the horizon, the England squad will be eager to showcase their skills before the busy summer schedule kicks off with the five-match series against India.

The Test against Zimbabwe promises to be an exciting opener.