Stokes to lead England against Zimbabwe after fitness clearance
The 33-year-old all-rounder has recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined him since December, when he suffered a second tear in just five months during the tour of New Zealand.
Ben Stokes has been declared fit to captain England in their one-off Test against Zimbabwe later this month, as the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed a 13-man squad on friday.
The 33-year-old all-rounder has recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined him since december, when he suffered a second tear in just five months during the tour of New Zealand. Despite not featuring for Durham this season, Stokes is set to return to lead the national side in the first match of their summer calendar — a four-day Test at Trent Bridge from 22 to 25 may.
Essex seamer Sam Cook has received his first Test call-up following consistent domestic form and an impressive showing for the England Lions during their recent tour of Australia, where he claimed 13 wickets in three matches. The 27-year-old, who has 318 first-class wickets at an average below 20, could make his debut in Nottingham, with Mark Wood and Brydon Carse both ruled out through injury.
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Cook is joined by his Essex team-mate Jordan Cox as the two uncapped players in the squad.
Nottinghamshire fast bowler Josh Tongue will be hoping for a return to the Test side at his home ground. Tongue last played for England during the 2023 Ashes series.
This fixture marks Zimbabwe's first Test on English soil since 2003 and signals the beginning of a busy summer for Stokes's men. Following this match, England will host India for a five-Test series before preparing for the 2025/26 Ashes in Australia.
England squad:
Ben Stokes (capt), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wkt), Josh Tongue.
