50 for Ollie Popepublished at 53.2 overs
'Beautifully played!' - Pope hits half-century as England approach 300
He's got there in no time.
A single brings Ollie Pope another Test century in 48 deliveries.
Summary
50 for Ollie Popepublished at 53.2 overs
Media caption, Eng 295-1published at 53 overs
The sun is shining and the players are back out.
How many can England get to today? Sikandar Raza has the ball in hand.
'No pressure, just enjoying the day'published at 16:01 British Summer Time 22 May
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Currans late father, Kevin, played for Zimbabwe and had spells in county cricket with Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire.
"Very special, obviously with the whole family stuff," Sam said his brother's appearance against England.
"It is nice to be in the stands today to have a different view of the game. No pressure, just enjoying the day.
"It is exciting to be here to watch Ben.
"Zimbabwe have not played England in 22-years. I just hope he gets a start tomorrow or even this evening.
'A special day'published at 15:57 British Summer Time 22 May
Image source, Getty ImagesTom Curran and Sam Curran have been on Test Match Special during the tea break, speaking about watching their brother Ben play for Zimbabwe.
"Amazing," seamer Tom said. "So good, nice to be up here for a special day.
"Start of the Test match summer, but we're in the thick of it. I'm really happy to be up here today.
"Sam is driving back tonight to go play the four-day game for Surrey. If England come out firing there is a chance Ben [Curran] will have to face a few tonight."
Rew released from squad to play for Somersetpublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 22 May
There has been a bit of news from the England camp to say that batter James Rew, in the squad for this match after the injury to Jordan Cox, has been released to play against Durham for Somerset tomorrow.
Interestingly, Matthew Potts will stay with England and not play for Durham in the same match.
Postpublished at 15:53 British Summer Time 22 May
Thank you.
I've been keenly reading your debate about the merits of this match. There are more important things within the bigger than England's preparations.
Postpublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 22 May
Here's Matt Henry to take you through the rest of tea and the evening session.
Postpublished at 15:49 British Summer Time 22 May
Ben Duckett ed his fifth Test century, reaching 140 off 134 balls before being removed by Wesley Madhevere.
Here are the highlights from his innings, which included 20 fours and two sixes.
Media caption, Duckett scores 140 to put England in charge of Zimbabwe Test
Postpublished at 15:47 British Summer Time 22 May
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on Test Match Special
Image source, ReutersBowling is Zimbabwe's strongest suit. They probably thought 'we will try to make the most of that'. It didn't transpire like that and England are cruising.
They are just inexpereinced this Zimbabwe bowling line-up.
No disrespect, but they were pummelled in those first two sessions.
Thompson extends ECB staypublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 22 May
Image source, Getty ImagesSome news from the boardroom, where England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chair Richard Thompson has been reappointed until September 2028.
The ECB's non-executive directors chose unanimously to extend Thompson's tenure, which had been set to expire in September 2027.
Since being appointed in 2022, Thompson has overseen the sale of the franchises in The Hundred and presided over the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket.
The move follows changes made to the body's articles of association last year, which altered the chair's term from five years to three, with a maximum of two .
Read more about that here.
Postpublished at 15:44 British Summer Time 22 May
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on Test Match SpecialVery well played England. I liked the way they started off, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley.
When they got to the pitch, they got down and saw it was pretty flat - they were cautious early on.
Then they made Zimbabwe pay.
Tea - Eng 295-1published at 53 overs
Crawley 93, Pope 49
And that's tea.
Zimbabwe did break England's opening partnership, Ben Duckett departing for 140 (134) in the 42nd over, but it wasn't the breakthrough moment they were hoping for.
Ollie Pope has breezed to 49 (46) while Zak Crawley has 93 (139). England will resume on 295-1.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 22 May
#bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)
Image source, PA Media@Ollie Randall at 15:17. But surely a spectacle such as this (a highly uncompetitive match) is just as damaging for the global game?! This is nothing more than a training exercise for England which will have zero bearing in the two massive series coming up this year
Nick, Watford
Eng 287-1published at 52 overs
Crawley 90, Pope 44
Sikandar Raza rattled through that over.
How's stat?!published at 15:36 British Summer Time 22 May
Andy Zaltzman
Test Match Special statisticianAs an opener, Ben Duckett has left 2.4% of the deliveries that he has faced.
There are 131 other openers in the database who have opened 10 or more times.
None have a leave percentage below 11%.
Eng 283-1published at 51 overs
That brings us back to the Jacob Bethell question, Patrick. Where does he slot back into this England XI? Ben Stokes is very keen for him to return but 12 into 11 doesn't go.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 15:31 British Summer Time 22 May
#bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)
This game is hugely dangerous for us vs India and Australia. Crawley and/or Pope doing well here, despite having dreadful form against actually competitive opponents, risks them cementing undeserved places in the XI.
Patrick, Brighton
Eng 282-1published at 50 overs
Crawley 90, Pope 39
10 minutes to go until tea.
England's run rate is now up at 5.64.
Eng 279-1published at 49 overs
Victor Nyauchi has a very bustly bowling action. He's the complete opposite of the very choreographed Sikandar Raza.
How's stat?!published at 15:26 British Summer Time 22 May
Rufus Bullough
CricViz analyst
Image source, Getty ImagesZak Crawley v pace in Test cricket:
- Front foot - 49 wkts at 29
- Back foot - 11 wkts at 67
- Down the track - 2 wkts at 14
England v Zimbabwe
England 1st Innings
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Dots | 4s | 6s | Minutes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crawley,leg before wicket, bowled Raza Crawley, leg before wicket, bowled Raza | 124 | 171 | 103 | 14 | 0 | 282 | 72.51 |
Duckett,caught Curran, bowled Madhevere Duckett, caught Curran, bowled Madhevere | 140 | 134 | 74 | 20 | 2 | 188 | 104.48 |
batting,Pope,not out batting, Pope, not out | 169 | 163 | 87 | 24 | 2 | 189 | 103.68 |
Root,caught Williams, bowled Muzarabani Root, caught Williams, bowled Muzarabani | 34 | 44 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 69 | 77.27 |
batting,Brook,not out batting, Brook, not out | 9 | 18 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 50.00 |
Extras, no balls 2, wides 5, byes 6, leg byes 9, total 22 Extras, no balls 2, wides 5, byes 6, leg byes 9, total 22 | |||||||
Total,498 for 3 88.0 overs Total,498 for 3 88.0 overs |
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Dots | No balls | Wides | 4s | 6s | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ngarava | 9.0 | 1 | 42 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 4.66 |
Muzarabani | 20.0 | 3 | 111 | 1 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 5.55 |
Chivanga, bowling | 12.0 | 0 | 83 | 0 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 6.91 |
Nyauchi | 18.0 | 0 | 103 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 5.72 |
Raza | 24.0 | 1 | 93 | 1 | 81 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 3.87 |
Madhevere | 3.0 | 0 | 34 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 11.33 |
Bennett | 2.0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8.50 |
| Fall of wicket | Batter |
|---|---|
231 for 1 (41.3 overs) | Duckett |
368 for 2 (65.1 overs) | Crawley |
479 for 3 (82.4 overs) | Root |
Team Lineups
home team, England
Starting lineup
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes , Captain
- Jamie Smith , Wicket Keeper
- Gus Atkinson
- Josh Tongue
- Sam Cook
- Shoaib Bashir
away team, Zimbabwe
Starting lineup
- Brian Bennett
- Ben Curran
- Craig Ervine , Captain
- Sean Williams
- Sikandar Raza
- Wesley Madhevere
- Tafadzwa Tsiga , Wicket Keeper
- Richard Ngarava
- Blessing Muzarabani
- Tanaka Chivanga
- Victor Nyauchi
home team, England
Starting lineup
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes , Captain
- Jamie Smith , Wicket Keeper
- Gus Atkinson
- Josh Tongue
- Sam Cook
- Shoaib Bashir
away team, Zimbabwe
Starting lineup
- Brian Bennett
- Ben Curran
- Craig Ervine , Captain
- Sean Williams
- Sikandar Raza
- Wesley Madhevere
- Tafadzwa Tsiga , Wicket Keeper
- Richard Ngarava
- Blessing Muzarabani
- Tanaka Chivanga
- Victor Nyauchi
- Start Time:
- 11:00
- Toss:
- Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to field
- Venue:
- Trent Bridge, Nottingham
- Officials:
- Allahudien Paleker, Kumar Dharmasena, Ahsan Raza, Jeff Crowe, Russell Warren
