Summary

  • England pile up 498-3 on opening day - report

  • Duckett, Crawley and Pope all hit sparkling centuries

  • Root brings up 13,000 Test runs - only four batters have more

  • England openers put on 231 for first wicket

  • Zimbabwe win toss, One-off Test, Trent Bridge

Live Reporting

by Matthew Henry and Elizabeth Botcherby

  1. Eng 93-0

    England scored 506-4 on day one against Pakistan in 2022. They're currently going at more than five runs per over so I'm just going to put that one out there early.

  2. 50 runs

    50 for Ben Duckett

    Duckett hits four over slip to bring up half-century

    Too short and Ben Duckett climbs in.

    The ball flies off his bat for his ninth boundary, which also takes him to fifty. He's got there in 47 balls.

    Are you getting twitchy, Gilbert?

  3. How's stat?!

    Rufus Bullough
    CricViz analyst

    England’s openers have punished the Zimbabwean bowlers when they have missed that key length this morning.

    Run rate by length this morning:

    Full (<6m): 7.05

    Good (6-8m): 2.40

    Short (8+m): 6.25

  4. Ben in Clent wins the earliest sounding of the Gilbert Jessop klaxon award.

  5. Get Involved

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    Is just after midday on the the first Test of the summer too early to bring up talk of Gilbert Jessop’s 76-ball Test ton being in danger…?

    Ben in Clent

  6. Eng 85-0

    Crawley 37, Duckett 46

    And again! Zak Crawley puts the ball in the exact same place as Ben Duckett did.

    This is tough for an inexperienced attack. These two bowlers have only played 13 Tests combined remember.

  7. Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    When you bowl to Ben Duckett, he seems to spread the field.

    That was a good delivery, he plays it and just gets a single.

    When your best bowls are going for a single, it is so difficult to keep him quiet.

  8. Eng 80-0

    Zimbabwe just can't stop these boundaries.

    At least one is coming in every over and as a result Zimbabwe have had to spread the field. There's only one slip in place now as Ben Duckett crunches a drive back down the ground.

  9. Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    CrawleyGetty Images

    Nicely played by Zak Crawley.

    He lets it come and that's the key. He uses that top hand and he timed it perfectly.

  10. Eng 75-0

    Run-rate: 5.00

    If I was a teacher right now I'd be asking for some essays on what makes Zak Crawley drive so aesthetically pleasing because he has just timed another through the covers.

    He needs a few runs to quieten the critics and could hardly have a better chance to cash in.

  11. Get Involved

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    @Jay from 11:57 I must know if you’ve shown the class Headingley 2019 yet? Also, what are the other aspects of British culture is shown, so many questions!

    Harry (London)

    As well as students and teachers, school librarians are also definitely not listening/browsing Test updates... P.S. Henry Olonga visited our library back in 2012 - his signed autobiography is still here!

    Neil in Chippenham

  12. ChavangaGetty Images

    Tanaka Chivanga continues after drinks. He has been wayward but has swung it...

  13. How's stat?!

    Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    From 2022 to to 2024 Zimbabwe played four Test matches.

    In comparison, England played 40 Test matches.

    Zimbabwe have had prolonged peridos of no Test cricket.

  14. It has been England's morning so far...

    Duckett's back foot shot goes through extra cover for four

    'Lovely shot!' - Duckett hits two fours in one over

  15. Henry Olonga
    Former Zimbabwe player on Test Match Special

    The little bobble undoing Ben Curran.

    It ran away and this is the way England are playing. They don't have too much risk.

    Ominous signs for Zimbabwe.

  16. Drinks - Eng 67-0

    Crawley 27, Duckett 39

    Misfield!

    Ben Curran is the guilty man at extra cover and it costs four runs.

    Richard Ngarava isn't too pleased and I imagine Sam and Tom are awkwardly finding something else to look at on the back of their hands.

    That will be drinks.

  17. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Today is a fine day. Took the morning off work to see the first scan of our new baby, now I'm home and settling in to enjoy some Test cricket. What a time to be alive!

    Kieran in Barnsley

    Twin boys born this morning just before the toss and already tuning in to the magic of TMS. I can’t yet reveal the names because their Grandparents are on the way from Devon and Lancashire. So proud of my wife. The fun starts now…

    Hannah & Sam (Kingston upon Thames)

  18. Eng 63-0

    Crawley 23, Duckett 39

    Blessing Muzarabani's spell is done. Left-armer Richard Ngarava is changing ends.

  19. Henry Olonga
    Former Zimbabwe player on Test Match Special

    Zimbabwe have stuck a man at deep backward point.

    That's a bit premature.

  20. Eng 62-0

    Why didn't I have a teachers like you?

    This is better from Tanaka Chivanga, meanwhile, as he beats the driving Zak Crawley with one that swings back close to off stump.