Summary

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

  • Duckett, Crawley and Pope all hit sparkling centuries

  • England openers put on 231 for first wicket

  • Essex bowler Cook making England debut

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

  • Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary at top of page, or overseas here

Live Reporting

by Matthew Henry

  1. 50 runs

    50 for Ollie Pope

    '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.

  2. Eng 295-1

    The sun is shining and the players are back out.

    How many can England get to today? Sikandar Raza has the ball in hand.

  3. 'No pressure, just enjoying the day'

    Ben CurranGetty Images

    The 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.

  4. 'A special day'

    Sam, Tom and Ben CurranGetty Images

    Tom 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."

  5. Rew released from squad to play for Somerset

    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.

  6. 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.

  7. Here's Matt Henry to take you through the rest of tea and the evening session.

  8. Ben Duckett registered 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.

    Duckett scores 140 to put England in charge of Zimbabwe Test

  9. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on Test Match Special

    Ollie PopeReuters

    Bowling 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.

  10. Thompson extends ECB stay

    ThompsonGetty Images

    Some 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 terms.

    Read more about that here.

  11. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on Test Match Special

    Very 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.

  12. Tea - Eng 295-1

    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.

  13. Get Involved

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

    Trent BridgePA 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

  14. Eng 287-1

    Crawley 90, Pope 44

    Sikandar Raza rattled through that over.

  15. How's stat?!

    Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    As 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%.

  16. Eng 283-1

    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.

  17. Get Involved

    #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

  18. Eng 282-1

    Crawley 90, Pope 39

    10 minutes to go until tea.

    England's run rate is now up at 5.64.

  19. Eng 279-1

    Victor Nyauchi has a very bustly bowling action. He's the complete opposite of the very choreographed Sikandar Raza.

  20. How's stat?!

    Rufus Bullough
    CricViz analyst

    Zak CrawleyGetty Images

    Zak 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