Uncapped Essex pair Sam Cook and Jordan Cox are poised to be part of England’s squad for their solitary Test match against Zimbabwe this month. The inclusion of the duo comes as England grapples with injuries to key bowlers in the lead-up to the Trent Bridge Test starting on 22 May. This marks the beginning of an eventful nine months ahead, with high-profile series against India and the Ashes in Australia.
Rumours of Cook’s selection emerged a few weeks ago when Essex opted to rest their leading bowler for a Division One match against Worcestershire, hinting at his potential Test debut. Despite not having a central contract, Cook’s performance has been impressive, with 302 domestic wickets at an astonishing average of 18.49. His exploits on the Lions tour to Australia demonstrated his skill with the Kookaburra ball. In a show of dedication to the Test side, he declined franchise cricket opportunities, a stark contrast to his decision last winter.
With Chris Woakes in recovery from an ankle injury and Mark Wood sidelined with a knee problem until July, Cook’s path into the playing XI has cleared somewhat. Gus Atkinson and Matthew Potts, with 11 and 10 caps respectively, bring limited experience to an otherwise fresh-looking bowling line-up. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, retaining his spot despite recent struggles with Glamorgan, is the team’s most capped specialist bowler with 15 appearances.
Meanwhile, Cox is set for a return to the squad after a finger injury thwarted his Test debut against New Zealand last year. He was on course to play in the series while Jamie Smith was on paternity leave before a thumb fracture during a net session ruled him out. This marks Cox’s third Test squad call, previously summoned last summer against Sri Lanka following Ben Stokes’s injury. Despite previous setbacks, he has started the 2025 season strongly, hitting 117 against Surrey and 82 against Nottinghamshire, maintaining an average of 63.75 in Division One.
Though Cox presents a compelling case, he may need to wait for his Test debut. With Smith resuming his role and Jacob Bethell engaged in the IPL, Ollie Pope is expected to fill the No. 3 position, leaving Cox as a reserve batter.
The notable omission from the squad is Ben McKinney, a well-regarded opener from Durham.
