on the hips, tickled through fine leg for one final boundary, and it's a whopping 498 for 3 on day one of the English summer!
England vs Zimbabwe, Only Test at Nottingham, ENG v ZIM, May 22 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary
Stumps • Starts 10:00 AM
Only Test, Nottingham, May 22 - 25, 2025, Zimbabwe tour of England
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end of over 886 runs
ENG: 498/3CRR: 5.65
Harry Brook9 (18b 1x4)
Ollie Pope169 (163b 24x4 2x6)
Tanaka Chivanga 12-0-83-0
Blessing Muzarabani 20-3-111-1
6.45pm So, that's your lot for tonight. Hang about for Firdose's report and Vish's write-up of a very Bazbally day. From Miller, Alan and Ranjith, good night!
6.41pm Here's Zak Crawley: "Pretty nice, fantastic score, great day, very pleased. WIth Ben playing as well as he did, and Popey doing the same, I was comfortable getting down the other end. Always want a big score, disappointed when I got out, felt in good touch, found a bit of rhythm. You obviously know you're under pressure, but the most annoying thing is not playing well. That's what's most frustrating. The wickets haven't been easy for Kent but nice to get some runs today. I wasn't trying to overhit the ball, but pounced on the bad balls. Set-up is huge for me, trying to stand a little taller, head coming forward, hands high. I try to overhit it sometimes."
6.34pm Well, that was one-way traffic, predictably so maybe, but there's no detracting from the efforts of Duckett, Crawley and Pope in particular. The first set the tone with a run-a-ball hundred, and the latter two shut out the noise surrounding their poor form, and put in the displays that they needed, both personally and for the team. Pope has the chance to push on on day two, with all the signs suggesting that England aren't quite done with the bat yet. As for the Zimbabweans, not a lot of joy. Three moments to savour, but their best efforts came late in the day with the second new ball. They'll need to make it talk tomorrow to prevent this being an absolute monster by mid-morning.
87.6
4
Chivanga to Brook, FOUR runs
87.5
1
Chivanga to Pope, 1 run
short, pulled, well timed once more, but it's just a single. Six or bust to make it to 500! You sense the crowd are willing it...
Great commitment from Zimbabwe. Saving the 500 feels like a real target for them
87.4
•
Chivanga to Pope, no run
full length on the outswinger, Pope can't connect on a toe-ended drive
87.3
•
Chivanga to Pope, no run
back of a length, more late nip back into the batter and cuts Pope in half as it trims his bails. Where was this bowling with the first new ball!
87.2
•
Chivanga to Pope, no run
tight line once more, lifting from a good length as Pope settles for a nudge to the on-side
87.1
1lb
Chivanga to Brook, 1 leg bye
lovely bowling again, Brook wears an inducker on the toe as he misses his flick to leg
end of over 876 runs
ENG: 492/3CRR: 5.65
Ollie Pope168 (159b 24x4 2x6)
Harry Brook5 (16b)
Blessing Muzarabani 20-3-111-1
Tanaka Chivanga 11-0-78-0
One more over it will be... England's record 506 on day one may be out of reach... but this is still two good shots from another 500...
86.6
•
Muzarabani to Pope, no run
full length, shaping in, cramps Pope for room as he drives off an inside-edge...
86.5
1
Muzarabani to Brook, 1 run
short, and hoicked away through deep midwicket... on the bounce to the fielder... and this might conceivably be the last over
86.4
1
Muzarabani to Pope, 1 run
another crack into the covers, and a single is the upshot
Pranav: "@Antoine, that's Duckett's job to talk too big too early, don't take that away from him " England are a reformed team this year, haven't you heard?
86.3
4
Muzarabani to Pope, FOUR runs
absolutely smashed! Shorter and wider, and after a fallow few overs, Pope gets the score motoring through deep cover
86.2
•
Muzarabani to Pope, no run
outside off, cuffed away but off an under-edge to point
86.1
•
Muzarabani to Pope, no run
lovely bowling... tight line, and really kicking off the deck, past the splice. Perhaps the first that has truly beaten the bat all day.
end of over 863 runs
ENG: 486/3CRR: 5.65
Harry Brook4 (15b)
Ollie Pope163 (154b 23x4 2x6)
Tanaka Chivanga 11-0-78-0
Blessing Muzarabani 19-3-105-1
85.6
•
Chivanga to Brook, no run
that's a more forceful stroke, a trademark clip in front of square from Brook, real timing on the stroke but mid-on intercepts well
85.5
•
Chivanga to Brook, no run
another solid block on the front foot, Brook is giving the impression that England will bat on tomorrow...
85.4
2
Chivanga to Brook, 2 runs
a compact push into the covers to rotate the strike... or not, as he makes it back for two
85.3
•
Chivanga to Brook, no run
keeps a touch low on a very tight line, had to dig it out late. Brook is getting a bit of a working-over here, which is heartening to see for the Zimbabweans
85.2
1
Chivanga to Pope, 1 run
driven without timing, a fat inside-edge pings away through backward square
85.1
•
Chivanga to Pope, no run
thuds the boot and leaves Pope hopping as he misses out on a whip to leg
end of over 85Maiden
ENG: 483/3CRR: 5.68
Harry Brook2 (11b)
Ollie Pope162 (152b 23x4 2x6)
Blessing Muzarabani 19-3-105-1
Victor Nyauchi 18-0-103-0
84.6
•
Muzarabani to Brook, no run
angled bat on the front foot, that's a lovely over
84.5
•
Muzarabani to Brook, no run
good leave and another good ball, England are in danger of falling short of 500 all of a sudden...
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