Trio of tons from Crawley, Duckett and Pope batters Zimbabwe

England's summer of Test cricket began with a record-breaking display as their top three all struck centuries in a commanding performance against Zimbabwe on the opening day of the four-day match at Trent Bridge on 22 may.

By stumps, England had raced to 498 for three, surpassing the previous highest opening-day total in a Test on English soil — 475 for two by Australia in 1934 — with Ollie Pope unbeaten on 169 from just 169 balls, having registered his eighth Test hundred, all against different opponents.

Ben Duckett led the early charge with a fluent 140 on his Nottinghamshire home ground, while Zak Crawley returned to form with 124, bringing up his first Test century since the 2023 Ashes and only his fifth in 54 matches. It was the first time since December 2022, when the same trio reached three figures against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, that England's top three all made centuries on the first day of a Test.

Zimbabwe, playing their first Test in England in 22 years, were outmatched from the outset and endured further setbacks when pacer Richard Ngarava left the field clutching his back shortly after lunch. Though he returned briefly, he didn't bowl again and left the field once more before the close.

Crawley, who had managed just 212 runs across his previous eight Tests at an average of 15.14, was particularly satisfied with his contribution. Speaking after play, the Kent opener said: "It's awesome to be backed by two people I respect massively," referring to captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. "They obviously think I'm the right man for the job and I have that belief in myself as well. I want to repay that faith. I love being around this team, I love batting and I love scoring runs, especially for my country."

Crawley's century came in 145 balls, featuring 12 boundaries. Duckett, meanwhile, brought up his hundred off exactly 100 balls and later hit the first six of the match off Tanaka Chivanga before falling for 140, chipping a catch to cover off Wessly Madhevere.

Pope then took over the assault. He reached his century with a four off Sikandar Raza — his 14th of the innings — and continued to accelerate as England asserted their dominance.

Even the dismissal of Joe Root, who holed out to long-on for 34 off the tireless Blessing Muzarabani, barely slowed England's momentum.

Zimbabwe's bowlers struggled to maintain consistent lengths, with their inexperience exposed throughout the day. Bowling coach Charl Langeveldt admitted the occasion had proved daunting.

"Stepping up to the next level, playing a team like England, you need to be able to challenge them for longer periods," Langeveldt said. "In these conditions, you have to get used to the length. And with England, they'll hit your good balls as well."

He added that Ngarava's issue appeared to be a back spasm and would be reassessed the following morning.

With England firmly in control and their senior players finding form ahead of sterner challenges — including a five-Test series against India and the Ashes in Australia — the early signs suggest a busy and promising summer for the hosts.