7 h. ago Shoaib Bashir thrives in ‘happy place’ as spinner breaks England record

Bashir became the youngest Englishman to the 50 wicket mark after a second day three-for against zimbabwe

Politics

8 h. ago Ben Stokes underlines importance with vital spell as England turn the screw against Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe (265 & 30-2) trail England (565/6d) by 270 runs: Back from an injured hamstring, the England captain produced a key burst of fast bowling to help his side seize total control at Trent Bridge

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8 h. ago Bennett scores Zimbabwe’s fastest Test century before England regain grip

Only Test, D2: England 565-6d; Zimbabwe 265 & 30-2Stokes shines as England toil before enforcing follow-onThere were a few sideways glances during the first day of Zimbabwe’s first Test match in England for 22 years, followed by calls for cricket’s longest format to adopt a two-division structure. After a flogging like the one their players had just suffered across three sessions, perhaps this was to be expected.But on day two, cheered on by some wonderful pockets of support, the tourists mustered a pushback. First came an improved showing with the ball, England losing three for 67 to declare on 565 for six, followed by something of a fairytale century from opener Brian Bennett. Though bowled out for 265, and closing on 30 for two following on, Zimbabwe had given their hosts a far stiffer outing. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Ben Stokes strikes twice for England as Brian Bennett leads Zimbabwe resistance

Zimbabwe were 210 for five at tea replying to England’s 565 for six.

Events

20 h. ago Zak Crawley feels like ‘part of the team again’ after Trent Bridge run fest

The out-of-form opener struck 124 runs as the hosts powered to 498-3 on day one

Politics

32 h. ago Ollie Pope scores century as England set new record in dominant win over Zimbabwe

England make light-work of Zimbabwe in first meeting between the nations for 22 years

Politics

33 h. ago Ollie Pope smashes 169 off Zimbabwe to show England selectors his class

Only Test day 1: England 498-3 v ZimbabweDuckett and Crawley also hit centuries in one-off TestThere were shades of The Thick of It after Ben Stokes gave his press conference a day out from this one-off Test against Zimbabwe. When the minister – or in this instance the England captain – said Jacob Bethell would be straight back in for the series against India, this apparently referred to the squad and not necessarily the XI.That Stokes sought to make this clarification through the back channels perhaps said more about the task at hand than England’s true thoughts on the subject. No captain would ever wish to send a player out believing whatever they achieved would be irrelevant, not least a vice-captain and team-first character such as Ollie Pope. Continue reading...

Culture

36 h. ago Ben Duckett hundred powers England into dominant position against Zimbabwe

Duckett made 140 as England reached two on 295 for one.

Politics

38 h. ago Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett get England off to solid start against Zimbabwe

The hosts reached 130 without loss at lunch on day one at Trent Bridge.

Politics

41 h. ago England v Zimbabwe: first men’s cricket Test, day one – live

Day one of the series at Trent Bridge, play from 11am BSTDunkley sparks new era for England | Sign up for the SpinAfter years of being ignored because England were also-rans being overshadowed by the World Test Championship, the rankings are back!This four-day Test is the first meeting between the sides since 2003, when England won both Tests by an innings. Interesting team they had, a mix of generations with a couple of bolters.Marcus TrescothickMichael VaughanMark ButcherNasser Hussain (c)Robert KeyAlec Stewart (wk)Anthony McGrath Ashley GilesMatthew Hoggard (Richard Johnson in second Test)Steve HarmisonJames Anderson Continue reading...

Politics

58 h. ago Ben Stokes targets No 1 spot in world Test rankings: ‘One more place to go’

Ashes rivals Australia sit above England in ICC tableZimbabwe Test is captain’s first action since DecemberEngland under Ben Stokes have never lacked ambition, but they go into a defining period of Test cricket with one in particular in mind: to become the first England side in 15 years to take top spot in the International Cricket Council’s rankings, officially the best in the world.“If we win what we’ve got coming up, the likelihood is that we will be at the top of that leaderboard,” Stokes said. “There’s no doubt in my mind we have the ability to be that team.” Continue reading...

Events

60 h. ago Bazball’s moment of truth arrives in year that will define era of McCullum and Stokes

One-off Zimbabwe Test at Trent Bridge the launchpad for a decisive summer for England and their abstemious captainSo where are we up to right now? Still Bazball 2.0? The start of Bazball 3.0? Given Ben Stokes has knocked the grog on the head this year, perhaps it should be Bazball 0.0% ABV.Although, jokes aside, that recent revelation on one of those man-chat podcasts said a fair bit about Stokes’s nature. Not only has he temporarily paused drinking during his recovery from hamstring surgery but, so taken by this, he has even bought shares in an alcohol-free spirits company. England’s Test captain is someone who, when he sets his mind on something, sees it through to the extreme. Even abstinence. Continue reading...

Politics

61 h. ago 'I've got to be mindful': Ben Stokes to play injury comeback safe ahead of England Test vs Zimbabwe

The Three Lions kick off their summer Test series in Nottingham on Thursday

Events

62 h. ago One more place to go – Ben Stokes targets top spot in Test rankings for England

The one-off game against Zimbabwe, beginning on Thursday, is followed by a five-match home series against India and a huge Ashes trip this winter.

Events

68 h. ago England vs Zimbabwe Test prediction: Expect Joe Root impact in Trent Bridge victory

Read the latest tips and betting odds ahead of England’s first Test against Zimbabwe this week

Politics

68 h. ago Zimbabwe’s welcome return sets the table for England’s banquet of Test cricket

A four-day encounter at Trent Bridge is a low-key affair compared to five-Test series against India and Australia but a first meeting with Zimbabwe in 22 years could yet prove crucial for England

Politics

3 d. ago Bring back that Bazball feeling: McCullum wants England to reconnect with fans

Head coach asks for ‘humility’ as huge Test year beginsEssex seamer Sam Cook to make debut against ZimbabweBrendon McCullum has called on England’s cricketers to reconnect with their fans after a period when some of their public comments, as well as their performances, may have given the impression that they are “out of touch with the general population”.This week’s four-day Test against Zimbabwe marks the start of a defining few months in which England play a five-game series at home to India before travelling to Australia in search of an elusive away Ashes win. McCullum said he had spent the “idle time” before the start of the international summer “looking at where we’ve come from, what we’ve achieved, opportunities we’ve let slip, and also looking at what we’ve done for the people that this team represents”. Continue reading...

Sport

3 d. ago Brendon McCullum wants England team to strengthen bond with fans

England are firm favourites to deliver a resounding victory against Zimbabwe in Nottingham.

Politics

3 d. ago Sam Cook set for England debut as Josh Tongue returns to Test squad vs Zimbabwe

Essex bowler Cook will make his England Test debut this week as Tongue returns to a new-look attack

Politics

3 d. ago Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams: ‘It’s been a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs – mainly downs’

All-rounder has been playing for his country – on and off – for 20 years and is relishing Thursday’s Test in EnglandIn a Zimbabwe squad not exactly packed with experience – only three of its 16 members have played as many Tests as the 21‑year‑old English spinner Shoaib Bashir – Sean Williams is the most glaring of exceptions. When Jimmy Anderson took off his England cap for the final time last summer, 21 years, six months and 27 days after his debut, Williams took over as the cricketer with the longest ongoing international career: by the final day of the one-off Test at Trent Bridge this week he will be able to look back at precisely 20 years and three months at the highest rung of the cricketing ladder.And still he is breaking new ground: England, who have not played Zimbabwe in any format since 2003, would be the 28th opponents of his international career, taking him two short of the world record held by the retired Kenyan Collins Obuya. “Definitely for me as an individual, it ma...

Politics