Cook in line for England debut after squad call-up

Sam Cook, an Essex bowler, will make his England debut after being chosen for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.

The 27-year-old, an outstanding seamer in domestic cricket in recent seasons, has a chance in a young attack that has lost a number of players due to injuries.

Jofra Archer continues his long reintroduction to red-ball cricket at the Indian Premier League (IPL), but Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, and Olly Stone are all absent.

With a new-looking pace attack, England will kick off a defining year of Test cricket, including its marquee series against India and Australia.

Nottinghamshire seamer Josh Tongue makes his comeback almost two years after earning his second and final caps alongside Cook.

The 13-man party’s other specialist seamers are Matthew Potts (10 caps) and Gus Atkinson (10).

Atkinson, Tongue, and Cook’s starting XI on May 22 would likely have won 13 caps, which is the lowest total for England’s pace attack at home since Zimbabwe’s most recent Test, which was held in this nation 22 years ago.

After having hamstring surgery at Christmas, captain Ben Stokes is fit to lead a squad that has no surprises.

The all-rounder’s first game since suffering a left leg injury in the final Test against New Zealand in December will be at Trent Bridge. The 33-year-old’s bowling ability is likely to be constrained.

Jordan Cox, an uncapped Essex batter, makes his debut in the top order as cover for the top order. He missed out on a Test match against New Zealand due to a broken thumb.

Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope get a chance to cement their positions after Matte Jacob Bethell impressed in his first New Zealand series but is currently playing in the IPL. The sole spinner is Shaib Bashir.

Since England has made no secret of their desire for bowlers of high pace, Cook, a “english-style” seamer with strong accuracy and movement, has to wait for a chance.

The former student from Loughborough University has played three times for England Lions, including on an Australian tour earlier this year, and has taken 318 first-class wickets with an average of under 20.

In reality, Cook and Woakes are vying for a spot in the first-choice XI. Due to an ankle injury, the Warwickshire man hasn’t played this season.

Dan Worrall, who has now qualified to play for England after three one-day internationals, would have been a better choice, but he has been omitted.

The last Test match between Zimbabwe and England took place in 2003, a year known for Anderson’s Test debut as England’s all-time best wicket-taker.

Even though Zimbabwe recently won a respectable 1-1 draw in Bangladesh, England will be the clear favorites to win at Trent Bridge. On June 20 at Headingley, the five-test series against India will begin.