England Test squad for Zimbabwe announced; Ben Stokes back

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has, on Friday, May 2, announced a 13-member squad for the upcoming one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, starting on May 22. It will be Zimbabwe's first Test on English soil since 2003.

The upcoming one-off Test against England will kick off England’s international summer. The major highlight of their announcement was the return of Test captain and seasoned all-rounder Ben Stokes. He underwent surgery on a torn left hamstring and was ruled out of all cricket in December 2024.

Ben Stokes returns as ECB announces squad for one-off Test against Zimbabwe

Stokes had suffered the injury while bowling on day three of the third Test against New Zealand. Since January 2025, the 33-year-old all-rounder has been recovering from hamstring surgery. It was the star all-rounder’s second hamstring tear in five months, having sustained the same setback in August 2024 while playing in The Hundred for Northern Superchargers.

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Ben Stokes has yet to play for his county side, Durham, this season, but it is confirmed that he is returning to the international arena with the one-off Test match between England and India ahead of the much-hyped five-match Test series against India at home.

This historic one-off Test match will be a four-day affair. The ECB stated in a media release, “England Men have named a 13-player squad for the Rothesay 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 22 May.”

Sam Cook and Jordan Cox earn maiden Test call ups for Zimbabwe Test

Meanwhile, the ECB handed the maiden Test call-ups to the two uncapped players—Essex duo Sam Cook and Jordan Cox—for the one-off Test match against Zimbabwe. Cook is in line to make his Test debut at Trent Bridge. The 27-year-old has an impressive record in first-class cricket, having taken 318 wickets at an average of under 20.

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He was impressive during the England Lions’ recent tour of Australia, where he claimed 13 wickets in three matches. On the other hand, Nottinghamshire seamer Josh Tongue has earned a recall to England’s Test squad after last playing in the 2023 Ashes.

Tongue has been in excellent form this season, taking 15 wickets at an average of 24 in the County Championship after recovering from a series of injuries. However, Mark Wood and Brydon Carse both have not made the cut to the squad, as they are still recovering from their respective injuries.

England Squad for One-off Test Match against Zimbabwe:

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

ECB and BBC extend strategic partnership till 2028

Meanwhile, ECB and BBC have extended their strategic partnership for the next four years. This agreement will see the BBC continue to broadcast highlights of England Men’s and Women’s international matches, along with live coverage of The Hundred.

The ECB statement reads, “The deal, which runs from 2025 to 2028, will see highlights of England Men’s and Women’s internationals broadcast across BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website—starting with England Women’s white ball clash with West Indies on May 21 before England Men begin a Rothesay Test Match against Zimbabwe the following day—and also includes digital clips.

Live coverage of the The Hundred men's and women's tournaments will also remain on BBC Sport each year, covering eight double-headers each season, including the opening matches and the finals across TV and iPlayer. This will see more live women’s games screened on the BBC than previously.”