Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
The LION is back, and he’s ready to ROAR!
Ben Stokes, England’s cricket kingpin, is making a grand return to international action as he leads a power-packed 13-man squad for a historic one-off Test against Zimbabwe later this month.
Set for Trent Bridge from May 22–25, this will be the first time in over 20 years that Zimbabwe squares off against the mighty English in the Test arena — and it’s shaping up to be a blockbuster!
Stokes (33), hasn’t swung a bat or bowled a ball in an international match since December last year against New Zealand — but now he’s back, fully charged and captaining a dangerous English side dripping with talent.
ALSO IN THE MIX:
* Joe Root – England’s Mr Reliable
* Harry Brook & Ben Duckett – Young guns with firepower
* Ollie Pope – The silent assassin in the middle order
Two fresh faces, Sam Cook and Jordan Cox, both from Essex, have also been drafted in — looking to leave a mark on their big debut.
Josh Tongue, back after a two-year break, joins the pace attack in the absence of injured speedsters Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson and Matthew Potts, who will still play key seam roles.
On the spin front, Shoaib Bashir, already with 15 Test caps, steps up as the team’s most experienced bowler.
ENGLAND’S 13-MAN SQUAD FOR ZIM TEST:
Ben Stokes (captain), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.
This is more than just cricket — it’s a clash of pride, history, and raw talent.
Can Zimbabwe rise to the occasion? Or will Stokes & Co. steamroll their way to another home victory?
We’ll find out in Nottingham. Until then, let the countdown begin!
