Zimbabwe come in from cold but left crying for help atearly signs of mismatch | Andy Bull

Tourists are in England for the first time in 22 years and faced dual threats of hostile batting and cold weatherOf course the first morning of the summer was the worst morning of the summer. Test cricket, like a bank holiday picnic, is a reliable way to send the English sun running, and Zimbabwe’s first day of Test cricket in this country in 22 years started under thick ripples of ominous grey cloud, and in a freezing breeze. In the shop at the bottom of the Radcliffe Road Stand staff were sent running to the stock room to fetch up fresh boxes of beanie hats and hooded tops, as the crowd, caught short by the sudden dip in temperature after weeks of good weather, made an unexpected run on their supplies of winter clothing.Zimbabwe won the toss, which was the last thing that went their way all day. “We’ll have a bowl,” said their captain, Craig Ervine, and it must have seemed like a good idea at the time. Ben Stokes admitted he would have done the same thing himself given the conditions overhead. Continue reading...

Comments

Similar News

Wretched Zimbabwe reveal the gulf between cricket's haves and have-nots - this change needs to happen, writes NASSER HUSSAIN

Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope among THREE England centurions on day one of the Test summer against Zimbabwe to give selectors a headache

‘I’m the right man’: Zak Crawley ignores pressure with century against Zimbabwe

Ollie Pope scores century as England set new record in dominant win over Zimbabwe

Ollie Pope smashes 169 off Zimbabwe to show England selectors his class

England v Zimbabwe: first men’s cricket Test, day one – live

Ben Stokes sets lofty England goal ahead of Zimbabwe Test

Zimbabwe's Ben Curran on facing England, failing to fulfil his potential at Northamptonshire and being the 'tame brother'

These matches will determine how history remembers Ben Stokes' England - they will stretch the side to the limit but they must make sure they don't slip up against Zimbabwe first, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

'I've got to be mindful': Ben Stokes to play injury comeback safe ahead of England Test vs Zimbabwe

England name team to face Zimbabwe as Sam Cook set for debut

Sam Cook set for England debut as Josh Tongue returns to Test squad vs Zimbabwe

Ben Stokes could unleash Bazball on steroids when Zimbabwe make their overdue Test-match return to England

Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams: ‘It’s been a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs – mainly downs’

‘We are a passionately multiracial team’: Zimbabwe return to England transformed

Blast from the past Zimbabwe are finally coming in out of the cold

Golf ban imposed on England stars as unusual request made ahead of Zimbabwe Test

England call up uncapped James Rew for Zimbabwe Test in place of Jordan Cox - after Essex star suffered more injury misfortune

England include Essex duo Sam Cook and Jordan Cox in squad for one-off Test against Zimbabwe while Josh Tongue is recalled

Sam Cook gets England chance for Zimbabwe test

Cricket news

Wretched Zimbabwe reveal the gulf between cricket's haves and have-nots - this change needs to happen, writes NASSER HUSSAIN

Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope among THREE England centurions on day one of the Test summer against Zimbabwe to give selectors a headache

Ollie Pope scores century as England set new record in dominant win over Zimbabwe

Inside the turmoil at Lancashire - what's gone wrong, who's to blame and how they fix it, reveals DAVID 'BUMBLE' LLOYD

Ben Stokes sets lofty England goal ahead of Zimbabwe Test

Ben Stokes sends five-word message to England cricket bosses as clear summer target set

Sign up to The Cricket Drop - a new cricket newsletter on Substack

These matches will determine how history remembers Ben Stokes' England - they will stretch the side to the limit but they must make sure they don't slip up against Zimbabwe first, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

I was sent death threats and forced to flee country after taking stand at peak of my career.. now I sing on cruise ships

'I've got to be mindful': Ben Stokes to play injury comeback safe ahead of England Test vs Zimbabwe

England blow as Jofra Archer ruled out of West Indies ODI series after latest injury setback

England name team to face Zimbabwe as Sam Cook set for debut

Sam Cook set for England debut as Josh Tongue returns to Test squad vs Zimbabwe

Ben Stokes could unleash Bazball on steroids when Zimbabwe make their overdue Test-match return to England

Ben Stokes the man is threatening to overtake Stokes the cricketer: This is what he must do to become England's feared match-winner again

Why Sam Cook is the most feared bowler in England - and why lack of pace means nothing as he eyes Ashes glory

Cricket legend Matthew Hayden's daughter Grace stuns in a VERY revealing outfit just after getting some massive career news

England Cricket icon Ben Stokes admits 'I can't remember' in candid alcohol admission

England captain Ben Stokes reveals he has given up alcohol in bid to aid latest injury rehabilitation ahead of return

Ben Stokes bins booze as England captain prepares to make injury comeback

ICC lashed for openly supporting Indian military after banning Usman Khawaja peace dove

Ben Stokes fires back at England cricket critics - 'Complete and utter rubbish'

James Anderson to make emotional cricket return one year on from England farewell

Ben Stokes is adamant he will be in the 'best possible shape' after five-month hamstring injury lay-off - as England Test captain insists 'I still want to play a full role as a bowler'

David Warner makes bombshell call about playing in Pakistan after his Aussie teammates were 15 minutes away from death in missile attack during conflict with India

Cricket legend Andrew Symonds's mother opens up for the first time about the shattering moment she learned of his tragic death in 2am phone call

Jos Buttler among five IPL players in England ODI squad for West Indies series despite date clash

Liam Livingstone is AXED by England for both white-ball series against West Indies... as first squads under new captain Harry Brook are revealed

Who is the next Virat Kohli? These seven India stars have the best chance

Aussie cricket star opens up about 'terrifying' 11-hour evacuation from India as missiles rained down during conflict with Pakistan

England's Jos Buttler could face club-vs-country row after IPL decision

England plans thrown into chaos with NINE stars at centre of major IPL dilemma

IPL return date confirmed as suspension ended after India-Pakistan ceasefire

Virat Kohli's retirement from Tests is a dark day for cricket - but it's even worse news for England

India crisis talks fail as Virat Kohli confirms Test retirement before England series

Revealed: How Aussie cricket stars were just 15 minutes from being BOMBED during heart-pounding escape from the India-Pakistan conflict

Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket as India icon issues heartfelt statement

Virat Kohli: India icon follows Rohit Sharma into Test retirement before England tour

India legend Virat Kohli explains shock decision to retire from Test cricket

Virat Kohli RETIRES from Test cricket as Indian legend ends glittering career in the longest form of the game 'with a heart full of gratitude'

Josh Hazelwood: Aussie cricket star becomes an innocent victim of India's military clash with Pakistan in shocking act witnessed by two million people

Jacob Bethell's in limbo after flying home… now the pressure's on Ollie Pope to seize big Test chance

Ricky Ponting makes surprise leadership decision decision as Aussie stars trickle home amid IPL fears

India cricket chiefs hold desperate talks after Virat Kohli makes quit desire clear

Shaken Aussie cricket stars jet back to Sydney as players mull over next step amid IPL anxiety

Golf ban imposed on England stars as unusual request made ahead of Zimbabwe Test

England stars 'recalled to Indian Premier League' as tournament chiefs 'aim to persuade overseas players it is safe to return' amid rising tensions with Pakistan

Aussie Ashes legend Bob Cowper dies aged 84 after cancer battle as tributes pour in for ‘enormously talented’ cricketer

Australian cricket in mourning after death of Ashes legend Bob Cowper, aged 84

Aussie cricket stars face dilemma on India and Pakistan return after fleeing to Australia because of safety concerns

Virat Kohli's decision to retire from Tests will be felt by England as well as India given his 'demigod' pulling power, writes RICHARD GIBSON

ECB chiefs urge England's Test stars to stop talking and posting about golf

All 10 batters retire out at the same time in never-before-seen cricket tactic… but bizarrely still win match

India legend Virat Kohli, 36, informs BBCI he plans to RETIRE from Test cricket ahead of England tour this summer

England could host Indian Premier League as India and Pakistan hostilities escalate

England could host the Indian Premier League as stars fly home after cricket super-league is suspended for a week amid rising India-Pakistan hostility

England could HOST IPL in never-before-seen move after tournament suspended and stars scrambling to flee India