Summary

Live Reporting

by Elizabeth Botcherby & Matthew Henry

  1. Zim 96-1

    Trail by 492

    Bennett has certainly played some eye-catching drives. I think Robin is being complimentary there.

    The right-hander defends a Josh Tongue yorker to end this over.

  2. Get Involved

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

    Brian Bennett is giving me some serious James Vince vibes.

    Robin, Coventry

  3. Zim 95-1

    Edged through the gap in the slips off Josh Tongue!

    England have two slips and two gullies. The ball went straight between them.

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

    It's been a tremendous start from Zimbabwe and it's been Brian Bennett leading the charge It must be sending some messages to the dressing room telling them that there's runs out there.

  5. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    This has been a very good response from Zimbabwe on this excellent bating pitch.

  6. Zim 91-1

    Bennett 46, Ervine 37

    Ben Stokes applauds as Brian Bennett drives Shoaib Bashir for four twice in this over. The second delivery in particular was far too full.

    The impressive Bennett is closing on his fifty now.

  7. Get Involved - landmarks named after sports stars

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

    Brian Clough Way in Derby/Notts. Funniest famous landmark I saw was Benny Hill Close which is in Eastleigh near Southampton. I saw it and looked over my shoulder and got ready to run!

    Anon

  8. Zim 75-1

    Josh Tongue continues with another pacey over after lunch and Craig Ervine uses that pace to ease the final delivery for four off the back foot.

    I watched Tongue play for Nottinghamshire at the start of the season. He was a bit wayward in his first couple of spells but blew Durham away in the second innings.

    He was superb.

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

    You've got to think that by using Shoaib Bashir early, Ben Stokes is trying to find out one or two things. Stokes needs to bowl himself.

    You get a sense that it's a big weekend for Bashir so he can remind everyone that he is a good off-spinner.

    He has not been playing any cricket. His last few Tests have been inconsistent.

    Could Jacob Bethell just come back in for Shoaib Bashir?

  10. Zim 73-1

    Trail by 492

    Shoaib Bashir has grown out a floppy over the winter. He has to flick the stray bits of hair out of his eyes between deliveries.

    His first over after lunch is tidy enough, although the final delivery is well wide of Craig Ervine's off stump.

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

    Shoaib Bashir is getting drift into the left-hander. I'd like to see that to the right-hander so he's challenging the outside edge.

  12. Zim 73-1

    The players are wandering back out with their tummies filled. It looks like Shoaib Bashir is going to continue with his off-spin. Is Ben Stokes trying to get him into some rhythm after his limited playing time in the past six weeks?

  13. Sri Lanka's Mathews retires from Tests

    Angelo MathewsGetty Images

    A bit of news...

    Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews has announced his retirement from Test cricket at the age of 37.

    He retires with 8,167 Test runs in 118 matches at an average of 44.62. Pretty handy!

  14. My colleague Stephan mentioned the Hadlee and Sobers Waiting Areas a little earlier, raising the question of the strangest things sports stars have had named after them.

    There's an Everton Weekes roundabout in Barbados. I think I'd want more.

  15. Follow the County Championship

    Sam CurranGetty Images

    Nine matches got under way in the County Championship today.

    Sam Curran has taken a wicket for Surrey who are playing Essex, Matt Henry (great name) dismissed Alex Lees with the very first ball of the match for Somerset while Chris Woakes is making his returning for Warwickshire.

    As ever you can follow it all on our dedicated live page.

  16. How stat?!

    Rufus Bullough
    CricViz analyst

    Here are the average first spell speeds of England's opening bowlers since start of 2023 (mph):

    • Brydon Carse - 85.2
    • Gus Atkinson - 83.4
    • Stuart Broad - 82.2
    • James Anderson - 81.8
    • Matty Potts - 81.1
    • Sam Cook - 80.6
    • Chris Woakes - 79.7
    • Ollie Robinson - 79.6

  17. Ollie Pope resumed today on 169 not out but was only able to add two to his score before he was caught behind.

    Pope is caught by Tsiga off the bowling of Chivanga

    Ben Stokes hit a couple of nice strokes but made only nine from 13 balls in his first innings since December.

    Stokes caught by Curran off the 'threatening delivery' of Muzarabani

  18. England pulled the plug on their innings at 565-6 after Harry Brook played on for 58.

    Brook had some fun before then...

    'It's Harry Brook time' as he hits a half-century against Zimbabwe

    Muzarabani bowls 'frustrated' Brook

  19. 'He leaps with delight!' - Cook takes first international test wicket

    This is a moment Sam Cook will remember forever and ever...

  20. Vic Marks
    Former England spinner on Test Match Special

    That's been Zimbabwe's best session of the match without a doubt. It makes for quite an attractive afternoon. There's been some great stroke play. Bennett's gone off like a firecracker, there's been a few lucky escapes but he's still there.

    You can play some great shots on this surface, I think we've got an interesting afternoon.