Reports and comment from Trent Bridge:
Sky Sports has switched over to the second women’s T20 between England and the West Indies (you can too with Rob Smyth).
That means I don’t have quotes to pull from the TV.
So with that, I’ll sign off and thank you for your company.
Zimbabwe’s batters have ensured we’ll get some cricket tomorrow and rain might even see us get some on Sunday.
Have a lovely evening wherever you may be.
Close of play: Zimbabwe 30-2, 270 runs behind
That’ll be that for the day. Opener Curran is not-out on 4 with Williams – who clobbered two fours and collected two twos in that final over from Tongue – will resume tomorrow on 22.
Zimbabwe are following on, 270 runs behind, but they had a much better day today. Bennett scored his country’s fastest ever ton when he struck 139 off 143 balls.
Two quick wickets for England in the fading light means they’re well on top heading into day three.
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9th over: Zimbabwe 17-2 (Curran 4, Williams 9) Bashir into the attack. I think he’ll only get this one over though. Just two singles from it.
8th over: Zimbabwe 15-2 (Curran 3, Williams 8) Tongue’s extra pace and slightly shorter length has the ball lifting awkwardly. That saw Ervine caught at short leg and also caused Williams some discomfort. But the new batter was off the mark with a clipped four down to fine leg and then picked up another boundary with a lovely flick through midwicket. An eventful over that doubled both the runs and wickets tallies.
WICKET! Ervine c Pope b Tongue 2 (Zimbabwe 7-2)
The bowling change works! Tongue into the attack and he pounds a back of a length lifter that Ervine can’t control. He hops back in his crease and pops a simple catch to Pope at forward short leg.
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7th over: Zimbabwe 6-1 (Curran 2, Ervine 2) It’s hardly Bazball. Just a single from this Cook over, operating round the wicket, hoping to get one to straighten. One is a little too straight and Curran can tuck it down the leg side for a single.
We’ve reached that point in the game where we’re talking about fashion.
Well, at least Brian Baldwin is:
“At what point do Stokes, Pope, Duckett, ‘et al’ start wearing the sunglasses perched on their caps or is that not part of their sponsorship deals?”
6th over: Zimbabwe 5-1 (Curran 1, Ervine 2) A maiden from Atkinson. No half chances, no loose balls. Show this to your friends who can’t understand why we’re all happy watching five days of Test cricket.
5th over: Zimbabwe 5-1 (Curran 1, Ervine 2) Suddenly the ball is doing bits. One shoots low, another lifts off the surface. One from Cook, round the wicket to the lefty Curran, grips and straightens and beats the outside edge. There’s a review for lbw, but it hit Curran outside the line and clipped his bat. Still, lovely bowling. England will want at least two more before the close I reckon.
4th over: Zimbabwe 4-1 (Curran 1, Ervine 1) Atkinson is pumped. The big wicket of Bennett has given him a spring in his step as he welcomes Ervine to the crease with a nasty bouncer. The new man manages to prod it away and get off the mark.
WICKET! Bennett lbw Atkinson 1 (Zimbabwe 3-1)
Plumb! Just as I said that the pitch was looking like a road, Atkinson gets one to shoot low and thwacks Bennett below the roll. He was rising with what he thought was going to be conventional bounce, but couldn’t get his bat down in time. The batters review but more in hope. That was crashing into leg stump. Zimbabwe’s centurion from the first dig is out for a single digit score.
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3rd over: Zimbabwe 3-0 (Bennett 1, Curran 1) Bennett is off the mark with clip off his pads through midwicket. Cook is probing away but the pitch has definitely flattened out. Looks a bit of a road late in the day.
2nd over: Zimbabwe 2-0 (Bennett 0, Curran 1) A maiden to start from Atkinson. Good to full lengths, encouraging Curran to get on the front foot. The lefty nails a straight drive but picks out mid-off.
1st over: Zimbabwe 2-0 (Bennett 0, Curran 1) A single off Bennett’s pads and one off Curran’s bat, Zimbabwe are up and running, safely navigating that proving first over from Cook who held a nibbly line and length throughout.
We’re back. Bennett is back out there having made a sensational hundred. But now he has to get in again against the new ball. Cook has it in his hands.
England enforce the follow on
Stokes wastes no time in making his decision. Cook has bowled 17 overs, Atkinson 13, Tongue 13 and Bashir 16. But there’s not long to go today and a good night’s sleep will have them fresh tomorrow morning.
Zimbabwe all-out for 286, trail by 300
Atkinson closes out the innings.
He castles Muzarabani for 12 by pegging back his off stump. Nyauchi is left not-out on 0.
Just the nine wickets to fall but Ngavara won’t bat after picking up an injury in the field yesterday.
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63rd over: Zimbabwe 265-8 (Muzarabani 12, Nyachi 0) Big Muz leans back and spanks a straight back-foot drive through Bashir’s legs for four. Was it a catch? Would have been a helluva grab. His injured finger meant he wasn’t keen. Three more runs and three dot balls sees out the over.
62nd over: Zimbabwe 258-8 (Muzarabani 5, Nyauchi 0) Just one wicket needed thanks to Atkinson’s strike. He’s on the board now which means all of England’s bowlers will leave with something to show for their toil. Will Stokes enforce the follow on? If you’re asking me, I reckon he will.
WICKET! Chivanga lbw Atkinson 2 (Zimbabwe 258-8)
A successful review for England! Atkinson’s yorker seemed to hit bat and pad at the same time. This he on field decision was not-out but Stokes figured it was worth a look. He was vindicated. Before meeting the full face of Chivanga’s bat, the ball brushed the front pad. England need just one wicket to wrap up this innings as the injured Ngarava won’t bat.
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61st over: Zimbabwe 257-7 (Muzarabani 4, Chivanga 2) We’re in a bit of a lull at the moment. Bashir continues and is testing both edges. Muzarabani gets inside the line of one and manages to free his arms enough to squirt a single to the off side.
60th over: Zimbabwe 256-7 (Muzarabani 3, Chivanga 2) Chivanga survives this maiden from Atkinson, though he tried his best not to. Atkinson banged a few halfway down and the right handed batter seemed intent on providing catching practice for the slips. Only he couldn’t make contact with his pokes and steers. Stokes burned a review when there was the suggestion of a noise as the ball passed the bat. But clear daylight between leather and willow snuffed that out quick. Chivanga wore a bouncer but is there to continue to the fight.
Drinks. Can Zimbabwe survive til the close?
59th over: Zimbabwe 256-7 (Muzarabani 3, Chivanga 2) A single for the long limbed Muzarabani before Bashir gives it some air to Chivanga. I’d like to see more of that from the spinner. This floater is swatted with venom by Chivanga, but it’s straight to the man sweeping on the off side.
58th over: Zimbabwe 254-7 (Muzarabani 2, Chivanga 1) A maiden from Atkinson. Chivanga safely behind it bit not quite skilful enough to work the single.
57th over: Zimbabwe 254-7 (Muzarabani 2, Chivanga 1) A handy three-for for Bashir, who now has more Test wickets this summer than he’s managed in first class cricket all season. Funny ol’ game this, eh? Muzarabani heaves a high slog into the deep on the leg side but finds a big gap and collects two. The new man Chivanga is off the mark with a dinked drive to deep point.
WICKET! Tsiga b Bashir 22 (Zimbabwe 251-7)
A beauty from Bashir. A perfect off-spinner’s wicket to the right hander. Flight and drift and just the right pace and length, Tsiga goes searching for it with a drive which leaves a gap between bat and pad. The ball bites in the surface and turns sharply towards the stumps. Zimbabwe are falling fast.
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56th over: Zimbabwe 251-6 (Tsiga 22, Muzarabani 0) Tsiga is going to play some shots now. He’s clearly capable, judging from that glorious pick up for four past square leg. Atikinson, back into the attack, doesn’t like that treatment so starts banging in some short balls. Tsiga eases a single which brings Muzarabani on strike who is going to swing as hard as he can. No connection this time though.
55th over: Zimbabwe 246-6 (Tsiga 17, Muzarabani 0) A wicket maiden from Tongue who bagged the big wicket to get on the board. Muzarabani, the new man, doesn’t look long for this innings. He has shoes made of concrete and is wafting away from his body. I can’t see him hanging about.
WICKET! Bennett c Pope b Tongue 139 (Zimbabwe 246-6)
And repeat. Bennett leaves the middle to a standing ovation. That was a tremendous knock but a pretty tame end. Tongue banged it in short and for some reason, Bennett looked really uncomfortable against the bumper from round the wicket. He hopped up and poked at it, spooning it up straight to Pope. After a brief pause to check if the ball was legal, Tongue could celebrate.
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54th over: Zimbabwe 246-5 (Bennett 139, Tsiga 17) After all the drama from the previous over, Tsiga takes the sting out of it by blocking a maiden from Cook.
53rd over: Zimbabwe 246-5 (Bennett 139, Tsiga) It was so close to being perfect for Stokes and England. Scrapping the ploy to bowl straight with catchers either side of the wicket, Tongue went round the wicket to hammer it halfway down the track. Bennett was comfortably ducking until the last ball that was perfectly directed. Bennett fended and Pope, who had just moved into the position at short leg, held onto to a stunning one-handed grab. But it was a no-ball!
Bennett caught off a no-ball!
Another life for Bennett! It was so nearly the perfect bit of captaincy from Stokes, who brought in a short leg under the lid for the final ball of the over. Tongue banged it in, Bennett fended it and Pope took a spectacular catch with a full length dive. But the extra effort meant Tongue overstepped and Bennett survives.
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52nd over: Zimbabwe 245-5 (Bennett 139, Tsiga 17) Cook has settled onto a good length, getting heaps of praise from the Sky commentators. But he soon over pitches and Bennett, driving like a prime Michael Schumacher, lashes another boundary down the ground. That’s followed by a bumper that Bennett meets with the cue end of his bat from a pull shot that squirts for a single.
51st over: Zimbabwe 240-5 (Bennett 134, Tsiga 17) Tsiga rises with the bounce off Tongue and steers it behind point for four. Played that attempted bumper with great control. Tongue is hammering a shortish length, really bending his back and giving it some effort. But he’s not getting any help off the surface.
50th over: Zimbabwe 235-5 (Bennett 133, Tsiga 13) Tidy over from Cook. A bit of nibble, one moved away to beat Bennett’s drive on the up. Tsiga is more watchful. Just the single off that set.
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Gareth Wilson has written in:
“Hi Dan- just checked on the IPL to see how Jacob B is getting on, given he’s missing a test match and all. Imagine my surprise….
Just checked and wouldn’t you know it, the lad has been left out of RCB’s game against SRH.
49th over: Zimbabwe 234-5 (Bennett 132, Tsiga 13) I thought Tsiga looked like a walking wicket when he came to the middle but he’s gaining in confidence and composure. After navigating four balls frm Tongue he stands tall on a back of a length delivery, holds the shape, presents the full face and just nudges it down the ground for four. That was some stroke. Things are starting to drift from England once again.
48th over: Zimbabwe 229-5 (Bennett 131, Tsiga 9) To combat Bennett’s straight drives, Stokes has put in two close catches either side of the pitch. Just to keep the batter guessing. I like it. Bennett doesn’t seem to mind as he rocks back and punches through the covers for two. He’s played that shot really well throughout this knock. Another two catches square on the off side are put in place after that. Stokes is trying to manufacture something with some funky placings.
47th over: Zimbabwe 226-5 (Bennett 128, Tsiga 9) Tsiga’s turn now to stroke down the grounbd. Tongue over pithed – and over stepped – and the lanky Zimbabwean gave it the full face. Bashir at mid on didn’t seem to fancy it with his busted hand and made a proper mess of stopping it. England’s bowlers have looked a little flat since tea.
46th over: Zimbabwe 219-5 (Bennett 128, Tsiga 3) Bennett yet again leans onto a straight drive and just eases it down the ground for four. It’s hardly a half volley but his weight transfer means he’s in total control. Quality batting. He closes the Cook over out with another trademark shot of this innings – a back foot punch in front of square. He doesn’t quite get all of it so settles for two.
45th over: Zimbabwe 212-5 (Bennett 122, Tsiga 2) Tongue changes ends and Tsiga gets up the other end. That brings Bennett on strike and a funkly field. A short leg and a catching mid-wicket. Men in the deep on the leg side behind and in front of square. A backward point that is neither on the circle or back on the rope. Short ball bowling to come. Tongue can’t land one in the right spot and Bennett sees out the over.
44th over: Zimbabwe 211-5 (Bennett 122, Tsiga 1) Cook gets things going again. Some searching full balls are well kept out by Tsiga who then rises with a lifter from back of a length to dab a single towards the leg side and get off the mark. He’s ungainly at the crease, but he was behind the ball well.
We’re back, after a brilliant chat between the Sky Sports presenters and Henry Olonga.
Anyway, big session coming up (they all are, aren’t they). Bennett has been imperious but he’s running out of mates. Can he carry his bat to the close? Will Stokes continue to bowl, breaking his promise in the first Test of the summer?
All shall be revealed.
Tea: Zimbabwe 210-5
That’ll be tea and Bennett’s session. Zimbabwe’s fastest ever hundred and an exhibition of batting; he’s been a joy to watch, driving and cutting and punching his way to 122 at the break with 24 boundaries.
Stokes came on to snag two quick wickets with some fine swing bowling.
Zimbabwe are still 355 runs behind so I won’t go so far as to say it’s honours even, but the tourists are giving a great account of themselves.
I’ve really enjoyed this! Hope you have too.
See you after the break.
43rd over: Zimbabwe 210 (Bennett 122, Tsiga 0) Stokes to Bennett. This is what I wanted. Bennett chases a wide teaser with a flashing blade. He’d have been physically ill if he nicked it. Stokes then goes for the big in-swinger but over pitches and Bennett – as he’s done so well throughout the innings – waits for it before leaning on a straight drive that earns him four. Stokes admonishes himself but he won’t mind that as the ball is moving through the air. So he goes for another one and again Bennett eases a drive down the ground for four. Just delicious batting.
42nd over: Zimbabwe 202-5 (Bennett 114, Tsiga 0) Meanwhile Bennett continues play in his own world. I’d quite like to see him face Stokes, which he will after clipping two and then steering one to get Tsiga on strike to Atkinson.
Bashir returns to the pitch. His hand must be OK then.
WICKET! Madhevere b Stokes 0 (Zimbabwe 199-4)
Out, out, out, out, IN, BANG! Classic set up from Stokes who always looked like bagging another one. Madhevere just wasn’t up to the job and though he’ll be annoyed chopping on to that hooping in-swinger, he seemed out of his depth from the start. Stokes is making the ball dance to his tune. He’s some cricketer.
41st over: Zimbabwe 199-5 (Bennett 111)
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40th over: Zimbabwe 199-4 (Bennett 111, Madhevere 0) His mates might be struggling but Bennett is playing a different game at the minute. A fluid cover drive off Atkinson finds the rope in a flash. The bowler responds by digging in a bouncer that Bennett chases but finds nothing but air. Might be a ploy actually, especially if he’s going to unfurl on-drives of the highest order – which he does to close out the over with another boundary.
39th over: Zimbabwe 191-4 (Bennett 103, Madhevere 0) Success for Stokes who dismissed Raza with a snorter but then got greedy against the new man, over-pitching and spraying down the leg side to Madhevere.
Extra bounce from Stokes as well for that wicket. It’s amazing how some bowlers can come on and make the pitch look like a totally different strip. Try dig out the highlight of that wicket.
WICKET! Raza c Smith b Stokes 7 (Zimbabwe 197-4)
Who else? It’s a cliche to say it, but it’s that man again. Stokes just makes things happen and this thing is a peach of a delivery. A good length around off stump, angling into the right hander before straightening off the deck, Raza follows it with his hands and can only edge it behind. Stokes has been making the ball talk since he came on. Outrageous bowling.
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38th over: Zimbabwe 187-3 (Bennett 103, Raza 7) Brilliant from Bennett. Three fours in three balls against the returning Atikinson – a punch off the back foot through cover, a drive down the ground, a late cut – brings him Zimbabwe’s fastest ever ton.
Bennett brings up his 100
What a day for Zimbabwean cricket! The fastest ton in their history, coming off 97 balls, he gets there with a late cut for four, his third boundary in a row. An unforgettable knock by the young man who celebrates as he should.
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37th over: Zimbabwe 172-3 (Bennett 91, Raza 4) Bennett was dropped twice in the over. First by Bashir, who had his hand cut open by the sharp return. Then Root – a proper gimme at a comfortable height at first slip – when Stokes finished up Bashir’s over. What an eventful little set that was.
Dropped again! Root puts down a goober in the slips! Stokes had Bennett prodding and England’s first slipper shells it. The skipper cannot believe what he’s just seen.
Bashir is bleeding! Sounds more dramatic than it is, though he’s in a bit of trouble and has to leave the field. Bennett, with a full swing of the blade, biffed the ball back straight back at the bowler – who dropped the return catch – and cut his hand open. Stokes to bowl the remaining two balls of the over.
36th over: Zimbabwe 166-3 (Bennett 88, Raza 2) Cook gets one to lift at Raza who tries to leave it at the last minute but instead prods it to gully. A fuller, straighter one is flicked down the leg side for a single. Bennett seems intent on reaching three figures in boundaries as he swats at a good length ball. He doesn’t time it as it bobbles to point.
35th over: Zimbabwe 165-3 (Bennett 88, Raza 1) Raza gets off the mark with a little clip off his front pad towards the leg side. You can just tell, though, that he’s waiting to clobber Bashir. The off-spinner is round the wicket to Bennett. Not sure I’m a fan of that, but what do I know…
34th over: Zimbabwe 164-3 (Bennett 88, Raza 0) Two glorious shots from Bennett off Cook takes him two hits away from a famous ton. The first is a confident drive on the up that goes to the right of cover (always a sign of a player in full control of his bat). Then an audacious dab finds the gap in the cordon as the ball skips down to deep third. Lovely batting.
33rd over: Zimbabwe 156-3 (Bennett 80, Raza 0) Bashir was starting to look a little rattled after Williams crunched a floaty full ball for four with a sweep shot. But the quicker, flatter one had Williams prodding from his crease and he had his man off the inside edge. Raza, the new batter fresh from a stint in the Pakistan Super League, looks eager to attack from the off. Could be a brief stay if he plays like that.
WICKET! Williams b Bashir 25 (Zimbabwe 156-3)
From nothing! That really was soft from Williams. Having just nailed a sweep shot for four in front of square, he’s pushed back by Bashir’s arm ball and a nothing prod away from his pads catches an inside edge. The stumps are rattled behind him, Bashir celebrates and Williams trudges off livid with himself.
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32nd over: Zimbabwe 152-2 (Bennett 80, Williams 21) Cook continues round the wicket to the left hander. He’s looking to land one around middle and off and get it to hold it’s line. He’s sort of doing that. Definitely testing the technique of Williams. A rare drag down is whipped away to long leg for a single to close the over. Wonder if Stokes will come on for a burst at some point?
31st over: Zimbabwe 151-2 (Bennett 80, Williams 20) Bashir is struggling to land the ball on a consistent spot. A floater that’s over pitched is half-driven straight to Tongue at backward point, but the bowler makes a meal of it and the Bennett collects three. Then two drag downs, to either batter, costs five runs. Where Williams crunched his cut straight to the sweeper, Bennett picks a big gap. Bashir then overcompensates and Bennett nails a sweep shot for another four. Liquorice allsorts there from England’s spinner in an over worth 12.
That’ll be drinks and not a moment too soon. Stokes needs to get his boys to switch on.
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30th over: Zimbabwe (Bennett 69, Williams 19) Williams is a busy batter. Two boundaries – one clipped off his pads, another steered off the back foot to backward point’s right – adds eight to his tally. Tell you what, Zimbabwe’s batters are holding their own. England are going to have to dig deep here.
29th over: Zimbabwe 131-2 (Bennett 69, Williams 11) Williams is adamant on sweeping and almost edges back onto his stumps. I suppose it’s worked as Bashir loses his length, dragging one down so Williams cuts hard to the fielder in the deep. Just the single of that one.
28th over: Zimbabwe 129-2 (Bennett 68, Williams 10) Cook is on the money right away. Nagging length, hovering around the top of off, he has Bennett follow one that jags away. Lucky not to get a nick on that. He does nick the next ball from the front foot but it flies between second slip and gully. Stokes can’t believe it. Bennett squeezes a single behind square to get up to safety. Good return from Cook.
27th over: Zimbabwe 124-2 (Bennett, Williams 10) Bashir from round the wicket to left-handed Williams has settled on a tidy line around off-stump. Williams looks eager to hit him off that spot, first trying to cut a straight-ish ball then sweeping one that looked a touch too full to do so. He survives and Bashir closes with a maiden.
Looks like Cook will replace Tongue from the Stuart Broad end.
26th over: Zimbabwe 124-2 (Bennett 63, Williams 10) Bennett is in the groove. After getting squared up by a jaffa from Tongue, the right hander crunches a pull shot behind square and then leans on a textbook perfect on drive. He looks dialled in here.
25th over: Zimbabwe 116-2 (Bennett 55, Williams 10) Bashir is giving it a bit of air – I like it – and inviting the right-hander Bennett to drive. He does so and gets two to the right of the sweeper in the deep and then picks out the man at short extra. A single brings Williams on strike who ends the set with a neat clip off the back foot for four down to fine leg.
24th over: Zimbabwe 109-2 (Bennett 52, Williams 6) Thanks Jim. Stellar effort as always. Hello everyone. Well this is pretty tidy from Zimbabwe, isn’t it?
Bennett reaches his 50 with a delicious cover drive for four from Tongue’s half-] volley. Williams punches for two and the pair of them collect a single each.
23rd over: Zimbabwe 100-2 (Bennett 46, Williams 3) Zimbabwe bring up their hundred and the three figures are cheered heartily by their full voiced fans inside Trent Bridge.
Don’t cheer quite so heartily but I’m off for an early bath and Daniel Gallan is easing himself into the OBO armchair for the afternoon. Thanks for your company and comments, ta-ra!
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22nd over: Zimbabwe 99-2 (Bennett 46, Williams 3) Tongue is operating around the high 80 mph mark and ouchy that is nasty! A short ball is ducked into by Williams as the batter turned his head at the last minute. There’s a delay whilst he’s checked over and his helmet is swapped but he’s good to continue. Tongue follows up with a full ball on the stump but the batter is equal to it, getting forward and blocking away into the off side.
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21st over: Zimbabwe 97-2 (Bennett 46, Williams 1) Sean Williams is the new batter and is off the mark with a poke down to mid-on. Bashir has bowled well so far today, he had one over where he was carted about but has settled down well. A lengthy spell and a few wickets will do him the world of good.
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WICKET! Craig Ervine c Brook b Shoaib Bashir 42 (Zimbabwe 96-2)
From nowhere Shoaib Bashir produces a beauty that pitches and spits across Craig Ervine, taking the edge of his defensive stroke and just carrying to Harry Brook at slip who takes a sharp low catch. Bashir is mobbed by his teammates and has something of a relieved smile on his face. It was a really lovely delivery.
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20th over: Zimbabwe 96-1 (Bennett 46, Ervine 42) Tongue takes Ervine’s edge but it flies in the vacant third slip region and away for four. A good delivery that is followed up by a bouncer that is too steep and called a wide. Stuart Broad lightly chastises from the commentary box, saying that you shouldn’t let the pressure dissipate with that next ball after a chance. England’s bowling attack is very inexperienced, If Zimbabwe can repel them for most of this afternoon session then they may well start to get a bit twitchy.
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19th over: Zimbabwe 91-1 (Bennett 46, Ervine 37) Twelve runs off the over as Bennett gets hold of Bashir! Tossed up and thrashed away, Ben Stokes keeps his fielders in and encourages but the next is smeared away too. A Ben Duckett mis-field turns a one into three, Zimbabwe have started the brighter of the two sides after the lunch break.
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18th over: Zimbabwe 79-1 (Bennett 37, Ervine 34) Tongue bustles to the crease, his speed is up to 87MPH but it’s no mither for Ervine who punches square off the back foot for a sublime four. Zimbabwe have been impressive with the bat, this partnership edges towards fifty.
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17th over: Zimbabwe 70-1 (Bennett 36, Ervine 27) A maiden to start after lunch and Shoaib Bashir gives it a bit more air, flighting a couple up above the eyes whereas he was darting them in before lunch. Nerves settling perhaps. Tidy over, it’ll be Josh Tongue to continue from the Stuart Broad End.
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The players emerge for the afternoon session. Sun shining down brightly at Trent Bridge, lovely conditions to bat. Can Zimbabwe chip away at England’s total and frustrate Ben Stokes and his bowlers. They need 19 more wickets and there’s weather about tomorrow. Let’s play.
Lunchtime Reading:
Lunch - Zimbabwe 73-1 (trail by 492)
Tongue looks threatening but Zimbabwe make it to lunch just one wicket down and runs have come at a fair old lick. The visitors have had a beter morning after a tough day yesterday – taking three wickets and getting to 73 for the loss of just Ben Curran who Sam Cook pocketed for his maiden Test wicket.
15th over: Zimbabwe 70-1 (Bennett 36, Ervine 27) Bashir rattles through a quick over, not much flight but pushing the ball through onto a probing spot on off stump. Just a single clipped off it to Ervine. We’ll have one more from Josh Tongue before lunch.
14th over: Zimbabwe 69-1 (Bennett 36, Ervine 26) A meatily moustachioed Tongue bustles in, he’s a strapping lad and looks extremely awkward to face. Great to see him back in an England shirt too, he’s had a really rough time with injuries in his career. He looks zippy from the off, getting Ervine to hop about and finding the inside edge which loops just wide of a diving Harry Brook at gully. Good start from the Notts seamer on his home surface.
13th over: Zimbabwe 64-1 (Bennett 36, Ervine 21) Gah! Bashir starts with a full toss and is flogged away for four by a gleeful Ervine. The rest of the over is on the button though and there’s a hint of turn. It’s going to be a double change – Josh Tongue has been summoned by Ben Stokes.
12th over: Zimbabwe 59-1 (Bennett 36, Ervine 16) Atkinson spears one in and it lefts past the edge of Bennett’s swishing blade. We’re going to have an early look at Shoaib Bashir… he needs some wickets having only taken two all season, each has cost plenty. He got 49 wickets last year in Test cricket and England have stuck with him.
11th over: Zimbabwe 58-1 (Bennett 36, Ervine 15) Cook nearly cleans Bennett up with an in-swinger that darts back late, the inside edge then evades a diving Jamie Smith down the leg side. Do not mention Mr Foakes…
“Excited to get an early look at Sam Cook, although delays the inevitable commentary highlight of this Summer… “And a change is gonna come at the Pavilion end, it’s Sam Cook” I’ll see myself out – an apologetic Dan Shepherd in Dubai.”
It has not been a long time coming Dan, Michael Atherton has already dropped it in on the TV commentary. Go on then…
10th over: Zimbabwe 54-1 (Bennett 32, Ervine 15) Atherton and Butcher discuss the merits of Woakes, Cook and Potts and whether you could play two of them in the same team. With Wood, Archer, Stone and Woakes injured and Stokes coming back from that bad hamstring tear England need all the bowlers they can get their hands on at the moment. Matt Potts might feel aggrieved to miss out here but I think he’ll get his chance at some point this summer.
9th over: Zimbabwe 52-1 (Bennett 31, Ervine 14) Cook is driven by Bennett through cover for three more. This will be the debate that rages with Sam Cook – because his pace is around the late 70s/early 80s mark on the speed gun the short ball isn’t too much of a threat and batters will feel like they can get on the front foot without fearing they are going to get clonked on the helmet. Cook has obviously found a way with his skill and accuracy and bowled really well for the Lions in Australia over the winter, there is a danger he looks a bit innocuous on flatter surfaces though.
8th over: Zimbabwe 48-1 (Bennett 28, Ervine 13) Atkinson driven off the back foot by Bennett for three and Ervine follows suit with a couple down the ground. I wonder if we might see Josh Tongue for a burst before lunch, there’s about 25 minutes til the interval.
7th over: Zimbabwe 43-1 (Bennett 24, Ervine 7) The dichotomy of Sam Cook. He bowls too full and it rather floats onto the bat of Ervine who has plenty of time to get on the front foot and drive away through cover for four. The very next ball is a beauty though, pitching and leaving the batter on off stump.
6th over: Zimbabwe 38-1 (Bennett 24, Ervine 7) Gus Atkinson hasn’t settled into his groove just yet so far this morning, he gives Ervine width and is flogged through point for four.
5th over: Zimbabwe 34-1 (Bennett 24, Ervine 3) Craig Ervine is the new batter and he’s off the mark with a prod into the off-side. Sam Cook takes his cap and heads down to fine leg where he gets a lovely reception.
WICKET! Ben Curran c Brook b Cook 6 (Zimbabwe 31-1)
There’s the first Test wicket for Sam Cook! Lovely ball and one that he has sent down thousands of times for Essex. Hitting a spot on off stuff and jagging away just enough to take the edge of Ben Curran’s bat as he turned his bat on it slightly. Cook celebrates with abandon, plenty of nervous energy and relief in his double fist pumps! What a moment for him, one he’ll have dreamt about for years. England have their first.
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4th over: Zimbabwe 31-0 (Bennett 24, Curran 6) Another fruitful over for Zimbabwe – Curran collects two with a clip off his toes through midwicket and then drives for three down the ground. Atkinson is a bit too wide outside off stump and Brian Bennett doesn’t need a second invitation, he flays away behind point for his sixth boundary.
3rd over: Zimbabwe 22-0 (Bennett 20, Curran 1) “Adding to the middle initials riff” writes Mark Lewis. “Surely IR Bell must be in with a shout…? It wouldn’t be the OBO without The Sledgehammer Of Eternal Justice getting in on the act.”
Tidier over from Sam Cook, a leg bye and four dots and then nearly a catch to Crawley in the slips from Bennett but it landed a bit short and ran away for another boundary. Sprightly start from Zimbabwe.
2nd over: Zimbabwe 17-0 (Bennett 16, Curran 1) The final ball of the previous over was actually a beauty from Cook. Dragged his length back and got the ball to jag off the surface. Signs that there is something in it for the seamers.
Gus Atkinson shares the new ball – he’s the leader of this green attack with only ten months Test experience. Curran jabs off his hip for single into the leg side and Bennett carries on his merry way, carving off the back foot through point for four.
“Afternoon James, did that declaration score give anyone else just a frisson of Adelaide 2006? Still sends a shiver down the spine…”
IT’S STILL TOO SOON TOM HOPKINS!
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1st over: Zimbabwe 12-0 (Bennett 12, Curran 0) Cook is right on the money with his first ball, zoning in on off stump. There’s no swing that I can see and Bennett gets an inside edge to a full ball that zips away fine for four to open Zimbabwe’s account. Another inside edge races away through the leg side as Cook is a smidge too full looking for the magic ball first up. Bosh! Another full ball is driven away through the covers to make it three fours in a row to Bennet – Zimbabwe are chasing this down! Twelve off the first over, welcome to Test cricket Sam Cook.
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Righto, here comes Sam Cook for his first bowl in Test cricket. He’s earned this chance with some remarkable consistency over the last few years. Brian Bennett and Ben Curran will open up for the visitors – let’s play!
So there will be a few minutes break whilst Zimbabwe strap the pads on. We’ll get a look at Sam Cook on debut before lunch.
WICKET! Harry Brook b Muzarabani 58 (England DECLARE on 565-6)
Brook smears Muzarabani for a six and a four into the leg side to bring up a bludgeoning fifty but then chops on the very next ball. It wasn’t pretty but England won’t mind – Ben Stokes has called them in!
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95th over: England 555-5 (Brook 48, Smith 4) Jamie Smith clips off his pads for four but is then DROPPED by the keeper! Chivanga is a bit hit or miss but he gets it spot on and Smith edges behind only to be spilled! It was a regulation chance and should have been taken.
“L Hutton. H Sutcliffe? They did ok I think…” emails a droll Peter Wyatt
95th over: England 548-4 (Brook 45, Smith 0) Jamie Smith is the new batter. The wonderful Don McRae did a lovely interview with him a week or two back. He plays out a dot to his first ball as Blessing has his dander up after pocketing the big beast. Zimbabwe have bowled much better so far today.
WICKET! Ben Stokes c Curran b Muzarabani 9 (England 548-5)
Gone! Stokes has been bounced out by Blessing! A short ball that was well directed and seamed to rear late at Stokes’ helmet – he pulled out of the attempted hook but too late and the top edge is extremely well caught by Ben Curran at deep third.
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94th over: England 545-4 (Brook 43, Stokes 8) Brook plays an audacious upper cut to a Chivanga short ball and is DROPPED on the boundary at deep third. Not the best effort from the sub fielder – the wonderfully named Wellington Masakadza. Brook pulverises the next ball for four with a rasping cut shot. He hit that so hard the fielder barely moved in the deep.
Speaking of names, Gareth Wilson drops a missive into the OBO mailbag:
“Hi James- very sad to see Zak Crawley has no middle initial. Will never be an England all timer without at least one of those. Think IT Botham, GA Gooch, PBH May and of course the deliberate MC Cowdrey. Feels sad for the young Crawley to miss out.”
I’m a no middle name man myself Gareth and that isn’t the only reason I’m not an England great. My daughter calls middle names ‘fiddle names’. Which is quite cute… and they can be fiddly. Cherrington anyone?
93rd over: England 531-4 (Brook 31, Stokes 7) Trouble against the short ball? Pah! Harry Brook smashes a Muzarabani bouncer for SIX into the crowd behind square… and again! SIX more the next ball, slightly more top-edgy but same result.
Brook is ticking, he charges at the next two balls but Muzarabani digs them in at his feet. Another full delivery is squirted into the leg side and Stokes calls Brook through for a quick single. Excited burbling in the crowd, there might well be some catches coming their way in the next hour.
92nd over: England 518-4 (Brook 18, Stokes 7) Apologies I just spotted there was a typo in the link for my email at the side of the page – corrected now and you can fling me a missive here.
Harry Brook carves for four and then skips down the track to loft Chivanga over mid off for another. I wonder if Stokes has had a little word in his ear, there is plenty of rain about in Nottingham tomorrow according to the latest forecast. England will need to bowl Zimbabwe out twice in what is already a shortened game.
91st over: England 508-4 (Brook 9, Stokes 6) Glorious cover drive from Ben Stokes! That will feel good. Pitched up and smoked away to the fence.
90th over: England 503-4 (Brook 9, Stokes 1) Stokes gets off the mark with a nice clip off his toes. Some time in the middle will do him the world of good too, there was talk he might even play for the Lions in the run up to the India series in order to get some rhythm at the crease. Zimbabwe have been much better in the two overs this morning, a stat going around states that they bowled over fifty per cent of their deliveries down the leg side yesterday.
WICKET! Ollie Pope c Tsiga b Chivanga 171 (England 502-4)
Pitched up and a tiny edge! Ollie Pope goes early on day two, playing away from his body at a decent ball from Chivanga. A late review was called for but the spike was clear for all to see. Trent Bridge gives Pope a hearty ovation and then there’s a loud cheer as Ben Stokes strides out to the middle. Shades of Botham as blond whisps of mullet billow out from under Stokes’ helmet as he takes guard.
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89th over: England 499-3 (Pope 170, Brook 9) Blessing Muzarabani from the Pavilion End. Pope tucks off his hip for the first run of the day. It looks like Zimbabwe are going to go short at Harry Brook – there’s been a bit of chatter about that being a potential weak spot for Brook, especially early in his innings against genuine pace.
Ooh beauty! Muzarabani pushes Brook back and then pitches fuller and the ball zips off the surface and carries through at head height to the keeper. Brook was drawn into the stroke and plays and misses. Good, probing first over from the bowler, just one run off it.
Here come the players! Harry Brook and Ollie Pope stride out in beautiful sunshine and Zimbabwe’s players gird themselves for what could be a tough morning. England know there is a bit of weather about this weekend and it is only a four day Test, they’ll throw the blade this morning at the new ball and press the game forward. Buckle up!
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Its Sunny. Its Friday. My four-going-on-24-year-old daughter demanded this song three times in a row on the way to school.
Play is about five minutes away at Trent Bridge and indeed around the shires as the County Championship rumbles along. Tanya Aldred is on her way to Grace Road as we speak and is helming the CCLive blog.
And Andy Bull got his Theroux on and went for a wander around Trent Bridge:
Simon Burnton has the Crawley angle covered:
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Ali’s report from Trent Bridge pleasingly alluded to The Thick of It on a day that was very much not difficult difficult lemon difficult for England.
There 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, especially not a vice-captain and selfless cricketer such as Ollie Pope.”
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Preamble
Well, that was brutal.
Hello and welcome to day two of England v Zimbabwe from Trent Bridge.
England amassed 498 runs yesterday against an increasingly beleaguered Zimbabwe bowling attack who were left a bowler light when Richard Ngarava suffered a probable back spasm and had to leave the field on a golf buggy in the afternoon session. Ben Duckett made a pretty effortless century and Zak Crawley spent some much needed time in the middle to make his first century in an England shirt since his Old Trafford magnum opus in the 2023 Ashes.
Ollie Pope then peeled off a slick century that reminded everyone of his talents but also won’t do that much to lessen the naysayers who think he can’t do it against the big boys of India and Australia. Against the former Pope averages 24 and the latter just 16.
The strawberry blond Surrey man has just been speaking to Ian Ward on Sky and seemed pretty chilled out, actually, admitting that he doesn’t listen to the noise and the notion that his place might be under threat from the wunderkind Jacob Bethell. Pope was that very same wunderkind once, but now has 55 Test matches under his belt and a role as vice captain in the Test side. A double ton here won’t hurt but a score in in the first Test against India in June will provide plenty more succour.
Play gets underway at 11am - in just under 30 minutes, as ever do drop us a line and let us know how you are shaping up this Friday morning.
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