By Sam Bailey
Video piece to camera looking ahead to the start of the test match summer
This Thursday the England test team are back in action as they play Zimbabwe in a one-off test match.
It will be the first time in 22 years that Zimbabwe will tour England, a match where England’s greatest ever bowler James Anderson made his debut.
England will be keen to kick start their test summer in a positive manner as in a few weeks’ time, as powerhouses India will play England in a five match test series.
‘I think the test match against Zimbabwe will provide England with an opportunity to get some match practice in before they face an almighty challenge against India’ said ourCricket content creator Dan Jadzevics.
The test match is only four days long and will take place at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
England’s ‘bazball’ approach
Since Brendon McCullum took over the England test team it has certainly been a period with loads of ups and downs.
‘It’s important that England keep backing Brendon McCullum as England certainly has the potential to dominate games under his leadership and style,’ said Dan Jadzevics.
This England test team are capable of winning by thumping innings’ victories or losing by over 400 runs, it is just the whirlwind journey that is getting more people to watch test cricket.
England’s last test series saw them triumph away in New Zealand 2-1 with an eight-wicket victory and by a brilliant 323 runs but a staggering defeat of 423 runs just highlights the flaws of England’s attack-minded approach.
The squad for the upcoming match was announced at the start of May with many familiar faces but a first call up for Essex seamer Sam Cook was the main talking point.
As England moves away from two legends in Stuart Broad and James Anderson it opens the door for young, fresh, fast bowlers to make their mark.
‘When you look at the bowling unit, it is a very inexpericed attack, but it is vital that whoever comes into the team does their job and doesn’t look too far ahead towards the ashes’ said Jadzevics.
Recently, England head of cricket Rob Key has opted for high pace bowlers after recalling Josh Tongue and giving a shock debut to Josh Hull.
As a huge summer of cricket approaches, the team will also have one eye on the ashes in Australia which gets underway in November.
This is always the pinnacle series in test cricket and planning for this series starts years in advance as England will want to be in their best form heading down under.
England vs Sri Lanka in 2024 at Old Trafford as England face their next challenge
Selection dilemmas
With an exciting test match against Zimbabwe coming up on Thursday, England will be boosted by having skipper Ben Stokes in the middle after recovering from an injury suffered in New Zealand.
‘I am a huge fan of Ben Stokes, and he certainly makes the side better when he is able to play his all-rounder role’ said Jadzevics.
Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith has been recalled after missing the New Zealand tour, giving England a selection problem with someone having to miss out.
With Smith expected to come back into the team, it puts pressure on England’s current vice-captain Oliie Pope. He has been short of runs, as he took Smith’s position in New Zealand and is expected to move back up to number three.
‘There are still a couple of selection issues for the selectors with Jacob Bethell currently playing in the IPL he may come back into the team which puts pressure on Oliie Pope’ said Jadzevics.
Opener Zak Crawley has kept his place despite suffering a dismal tour to New Zealand where he averaged nine.
England have decided to stick with and back Shoaib Bashir with a few question marks raised around him after being sent out on loan by his county Somerset.
The seam bowling attack will consist of Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and debutant Sam Cook. It is set to be England’s most inexperienced attack for 22 years.
A new challenge for England
With tough test matches on the horizon against India and Australia, Zimbabwe will be a different test for England where they will look to play their best cricket and try to claim a convincing win.
It will be Zimbabwe’s first tour of England since 2003, and they will certainly be looking to show the cricket world what they are about.
‘For me it’s just important that England don’t get too complacent in this match, they just have to beat what’s in front of them and I’m sure they’ll look to entertain’ said Jadzevics.
England typically have a good record at Trent Bridge, winning convincingly last year against West Indies and two years before pulled off a sensational chase of 299 on the last day to win, this win essentially kickstarted ‘bazball’.
The surface at Trent Bridge is usually quite a flat wicket which suits England’s high, attacking approach and with short boundaries they will be hoping to make it a run fest.
With an exciting summer of cricket ahead, Zimbabwe are the first test and England will want to get past them with flying colours.
Audio interview previewing England’s test match against Zimbabwe with Neil Manthorp
