Zimbabwe, despite the heavy loss, earned admiration from the Trent Bridge crowd for their spirited approach and moments of resistance
England launched their international summer with a commanding performance, thrashing Zimbabwe by an innings and 42 runs in a one-off Test match at Trent Bridge. The match, which ended inside just five sessions, marked Zimbabwe’s first Test on English soil in 22 years and showcased the dominance of England’s young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who claimed a match haul of 9/143, including a stunning 6/81 in the second innings.
Having declared their innings at a mammoth 565/6, England’s bowling unit ensured Zimbabwe never came close to challenging the total. Bashir was the standout performer on the final day, claiming his fourth Test five-wicket haul and becoming the most successful England spinner before the age of 22. His spell dismantled Zimbabwe’s middle and lower order, bringing the match to a swift conclusion.
Zimbabwe had started their second innings at 30/2 on the third day, still trailing England by 270 runs. Sean Williams led the resistance with an aggressive 88 off 82 balls, laced with 16 boundaries. He shared a gritty 122-run partnership for the third wicket with Ben Curran, who contributed a dogged 37 off 104 balls. But once Bashir trapped Williams lbw, the collapse followed.
Despite a brave 60-run effort by Sikandar Raza and a fighting 31 from Wessly Madhevere, Zimbabwe were dismissed for 255, falling 42 runs short of making England bat again. Bashir wrapped up the innings with clinical precision, claiming the final wickets and finishing with nine scalps in the match. Richard Ngarava did not bat in either innings due to a back injury.
England’s comprehensive victory was set up by dominant performances from their top-order batters. Zak Crawley (124), Ben Duckett (140), and Ollie Pope (171) all scored big centuries, ensuring the hosts piled on the runs quickly before declaring. The Test also saw Joe Root reach a historic milestone—becoming the fastest player to reach 13,000 runs in Test cricket, achieving the feat in his 153rd match.
While England will be pleased with the all-round display, the form of their frontline fast bowlers remained a minor concern. Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts lacked their usual penetration, though Ben Stokes, returning from hamstring surgery, impressed with his sharp spells and a stunning one-handed slip catch to dismiss Madhevere.
Zimbabwe, despite the heavy loss, earned admiration from the Trent Bridge crowd for their spirited approach and moments of resistance. Fans turned out in colourful numbers to support their team’s return to Test cricket in England—a wait that spanned over two decades. The players were warmly applauded during a post-match lap of appreciation, reflecting the positive reception they received. Zimbabwe’s innings included notable batting efforts across both innings. In the first, Brian Bennett stood tall with a stroke-filled 139 off 143 deliveries, including 26 boundaries, helping Zimbabwe post a respectable 265. In reply, England’s batting juggernaut steamrolled the bowling attack, with no Zimbabwe bowler able to break through consistently.
Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine had fielded a side combining experienced names like Williams, Raza, and Blessing Muzarabani with younger players such as Curran and Madhevere. Despite the defeat, head coach Dave Houghton and his squad will look to take the positives ahead of their home Test assignments against South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan later this year.
From England’s perspective, this Test acted as a warm-up for a grueling summer ahead. The team is gearing up for a five-match home series against India followed by the Ashes in Australia. The fixture also allowed the selectors to test new combinations, with promising youngsters like Bashir, Jamie Smith, and Sam Cook all getting valuable exposure.
Notably, Sam Cook, who earned his maiden Test call-up after a successful County season, did not feature in the playing XI but remains in contention for upcoming fixtures. Shoaib Bashir, meanwhile, continues to establish himself as a potential long-term spin option for England, especially with such match-winning performances at a young age.
Zimbabwe, though outplayed, showed signs of progress. Williams’ valiant 88 and Raza’s counterattacking 60 in the second innings, along with Bennett’s century in the first, highlight a team with raw potential and fighting spirit. Their ability to withstand pressure in patches, especially in unfamiliar seaming conditions, bodes well for the future.
With this resounding win, England begin the new World Test Championship cycle on a high, while Zimbabwe return home with pride and valuable lessons from a long-awaited return to English shores.
