ENG vs ZIM

With that, it is time for us — Darpan and Pradeep — to sign off. We hope that you enjoyed this coverage as much as we did bringing it to you. Keep following Sportskeeda for more cricketing action from around the world. Sayonara!

The summer of 2025 has begun on a perfect note for Ben Stokes and his men. Every player who was under the scanner coming into this game has performed. That leaves the team in good stead ahead of the big series against India. 

Before that marquee contest gets underway on June 20th, the white ball side will be in action against West Indies, beginning with a three-match ODI series that starts on May 29th. On the other hand, Zimbabwe will stay for a bit in the UK and play a practice match against South Africa which help the latter prepare for the WTC final.

3:23 PM local time, 8:23 PM IST: The England players come around and pose for a picture with the trophy. The celebrations are muted. But their body language radiates joy and composure. 

Ben Stokes (England captain): "It was good to get the summer off to winning ways. We were a bit slow to get on with the ball initially. But I thought we were great last session onwards. 

When you walk out there and play for England, every run matters. Happy for Zack Crawley, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope. When Ben and Zack get going like that it is difficult for the bowlers. Pope is obviously an important part of this team. With the bat as well as a part of the leadership group. Jacob Bethell will obviously come back. Everyone who came under the microscope from the outside has done well. We have some time between this match and the India series. 

I have felt good with the bat. Today, felt very good compared to yesterday with the ball too. It will take some time. Can be a pretty traumatizing experience to have yourself opened up and get a surgery done. 

Sometimes we can take Bashir for granted. I thought the way he came out and executed was fantastic. On a wicket that was not offering much, to walk off with a 9-for (for the match) is well done. He has the backing of the dressing room. As I said, we were a little bit slow to begin with the ball. But that is understandable. We have come together after a long time. But since the run out, we were pretty good."

Craig Ervine [Zimbabwe captain]: "Our fans are like no other. Huge thank you for the amount of support we received. The occasion was massive, the guys stuck to it. First day, didn't quite go our way, we bounced back from there on. Unbelievable innings from Bennet, and today from Raza and Williams. Bit of nerves may be at the start, guys not consistent as usual. Little session on Day 2 were better, once they hit the right areas, there was rewards. Just need to be consistent going forward. It was, must be both. With the overhead conditions, we thought we could use that take the wickets early. Could've bowled in the right areas for longer, didn't work out. Very special for Bennet, to have his folks, watching him bat like that. It hasn't really sunk in for him. He'd celebrate for the next two days surely. Certainly, there's a couple of them. Madhevere is another youngster too. Bennet is the one for the future. The support we've received in these two days has been fantastic. Every Zimbabwean here, wanted to be part of it. Hopefully it's not going to be another twenty two years."

Shoaib Bashir is the Player of the Match! Here's what he has to say: "It's nice to bowl, specially if it's turning, happy. Nice to bowl back in rhythm, I felt good out there and the other bowlers did put pressure too. Nice to join the group here, felt good bowling there and nice to get out here in front of English crowd, nothing gets better than this. The boys and backroom staff, makes you feel good. When you are so well backed, you just go out there and express yourselves. Popie and Ducky batted like dream, that makes you feel at ease in the field. Plenty of training, just get back into things with a week off."

2:58 PM local time, 7:58 PM IST: England win by an innings and 45 runs.

Zimbabwe's Test team's long awaited return to the UK has ended up what can pretty much be described as a one-sided thrashing. It isn't something that nobody would have expected. They were the underdogs to begin with. But it was the lack of fight for the most part of the the first day and a half that was disappointing.

But the stubborn resistance and the pugnacious fightback they put on display today, must have made the fans happy. Remember, they will be playing four Test matches at home in the upcoming couple of months and these are the positives will look to build on.

The day began with an admirable partnership between Ben Curran and Sean Williams — the kind that fills the dressing room with self-belief and confidence. Williams, in particular, was a joy to watch. His start was watchful and he even took a couple of stinging body-blows. Yet, nothing seemed to faze him or dent his confidence. His shot making was delectable and even authoritative at times.

The downfall pretty much began post lunch with the loose execution of an ambitious drive from Ben Curran. The southpaw had grinded it out in all morning, but only 8 balls into the second session, he ended up hitting one straight to cover. Then, Harry Brook pulled out a stunner — a spectacular catch at second slip that will surely be all over social media tonight.

While Sikandar Raza notched up an robust half-century, wickets kept falling from the other end and the visitors eventually failed to make England bat again.

For the hosts, pretty much every box has been ticked. There were some question marks on the places of Zack Crawley, Ollie Pope and Shoaib Bashir in the side. The former two notched up centuries and the off spinner picked up a 6-for in the second innings. Plus, Ben Stokes — who was bowling for the first time since his surgery — did so with some vigor and sting. Ben Duckett too scored a sparkling century.

For the Chevrons, the standout performer was Brian Bennett, who entered his name into the record books by scoring the fastest hundred for by a Zimbabwe batter. Their supporters travelled in huge numbers to the venue and that century is probably something they will be telling their grandchildren about.

58.6 Shoaib Bashir to Tanaka Chivanga, OUT! MASSIVE SHOUTS AND GIVEN! That is it, Ngarava isn't coming out to bat. England hand a proper thrashing to Zimbabwe! Chivanga reviews! Length delivery, spun into middle and off. Chivanga hangs back to defend and misses, pings on the pad.

No bat involved with UltraEdge. It's THREE REDS on ball tracker. Bashir wraps things up and it's an innings defeat for Zimbabwe! As comprehensive as it gets for England this!

58.4 Shoaib Bashir to Tanaka Chivanga, FOUR! Powerful shot now from Chivanga, he's having some fun. Down the wicket, Chivanga belted it wide of the fielder at mid-off, races away to the ropes.

58.3 Shoaib Bashir to Tanaka Chivanga, OH DEAR! Good length outside the off-stump, Chivanga brings out the innovation, reverse ramps it over Brook at slips, they get a couple.

58.2 Shoaib Bashir to Tanaka Chivanga, FOUR! Enough timing on it and races away to the ropes. Flighted outside the off-stump, Chivanga slammed it over extra-cover and it races away to the ropes.

And the duo survive through the over.  Zimbabwe trail by 56 runs. These two will need to do something really special to make England bat again.

57.5 Josh Tongue to Tanaka Chivanga, bowled from wide of the crease, full and just outside the off-stump. Chivanga drives, but finds extra-cover.