England vs Zimbabwe Four-Day Test 2025:
The England vs Zimbabwe one-off Four-Day Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, kicked off on May 22, 2025, marking Zimbabwe’s return to English soil after 22 years. This historic clash, a rare four-day Test, saw England dominate with a staggering 498/3 on Day 1, driven by centuries from Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the match, key performances, and what to expect next, optimized for cricket fans searching for real-time updates.
England’s Batting Blitz Lights Up Trent Bridge
England’s aggressive approach overwhelmed Zimbabwe as their top three—Zak Crawley (124), Ben Duckett (140), and Ollie Pope (169*)—all scored centuries. This rare feat, only the fourth time England’s top three have achieved this in a Test innings, set the tone for a commanding day at a run rate of 5.66 per over.
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Day 1 Key Moments:
- Toss and Strategy: Zimbabwe’s captain Craig Ervine chose to bowl first under cloudy skies, hoping to exploit early conditions. However, England’s batsmen quickly seized control.
- Crawley-Duckett Partnership: The openers added 231 runs, with Duckett’s 140 (134 balls, 20 fours, 2 sixes) showcasing his attacking flair and Crawley’s 124 (171 balls, 14 fours) providing stability.
- Ollie Pope’s Dominance: Pope’s unbeaten 169 (163 balls, 14 fours) was a statement innings, reinforcing his form at Trent Bridge, where he has now scored three centuries in seven Test innings.
- Joe Root’s Milestone: Root crossed 13,000 Test runs, a feat achieved by only four others, before falling for 34.
- Zimbabwe’s Tough Day: Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled, with Richard Ngarava’s injury adding to their challenges. Sikandar Raza was their most economical bowler, conceding under four runs per over.
What Makes the Four-Day Test Special?
This non-World Test Championship match adopts a unique four-day format to make red-ball cricket more engaging. Key features include:
- 98 overs per day, compared to 90 in traditional Tests.
- 6.5 hours of daily play.
- A 150-run follow-on margin (vs. 200 in five-day Tests).
- Second new ball after 80 overs.
- This format aims to balance competitiveness and scheduling, offering Zimbabwe valuable Test experience.
Standout Performances and Records
- Top-Order History: England’s top three scoring centuries in one innings is a rare achievement, last seen against Pakistan in 2022.
- Day 1 Milestone: England’s 498/3 is the highest Day 1 total in a Test in England, underlining their dominance.
- Pope’s Venue Love: Pope’s 169* adds to his stellar record at Trent Bridge, where he thrives under pressure.
Zimbabwe’s Road Ahead
Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by Blessing Muzarabani and Sikandar Raza, faced a tough day, worsened by Ngarava’s injury. Their batting, featuring Ervine and Sean Williams, must now tackle England’s attack, including debutant Sam Cook and captain Ben Stokes, to avoid falling further behind.
Day 2 Preview
England, with Pope (169*) and Harry Brook (9*), may bat briefly before declaring to maximize their lead. Zimbabwe needs early breakthroughs to fight back, while their batsmen face a stern test against England’s pace and spin combination.
How to Watch the Match
India: Watch on Sony Sports TEN Network or stream on Sony LIV/Fancode.
Pakistan: Tune into Ten Sports or Tapmad (streaming).
UK: Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, starting 10:15 AM on Day 2 (first ball at 11:00 AM).
Team Lineups
- England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Sam Cook, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.
- Zimbabwe: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava.
Conclusion
Day 1 of the England vs Zimbabwe Four-Day Test was a showcase of England’s batting prowess, with Crawley, Duckett, and Pope stealing the show. As Zimbabwe looks to regroup, Day 2 promises more excitement. Stay updated with live scores and highlights from Trent Bridge!
Watch the action live on Sony LIV, Sky Sports, or Fancode. Share your predictions for Day 2 below and keep up with the latest cricket news!
Keywords: England vs Zimbabwe 2025, Four-Day Test, Trent Bridge, Zak Crawley century, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Test cricket highlights, Day 1 scores
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