England line-up change is going to come with Sam Cook making Test debut

Sam Cook will make his England debut in this week’s Test against Zimbabwe, with fellow seamer Josh Tongue returning to the side for the first time in two years.

Essex bowler Cook received a long-awaited call-up after several years as one of county cricket’s most reliable wicket-takers and has now been confirmed in the XI that will line up at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Tongue, who impressed with a spirited Ashes performance at Lord’s in 2023 but missed the whole of last season with a pectoral injury, has also been picked in a new-look attack fronted by Gus Atkinson.

That means no place for Durham’s Matthew Potts, who sits out alongside the uncapped James Rew.

Shoaib Bashir retains his spot as spinner despite taking just two wickets in a low-key loan spell at Glamorgan, while fit-again captain Ben Stokes is expected to offer some overs after a lengthy rehabilitation period from his latest hamstring tear.

Sam Cook

Cook’s belated elevation means he arrives in the Test arena with a highly impressive body of work under his belt, something that has not always been the case under a selection regime that often prioritises potential. A tally of 321 wickets in 89 first-class appearances, and an average of 19.85, means he is more than qualified.

But England’s penchant for high pace means he has had to wait for the retirements of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, as well as an injury to Chris Woakes, to open up space for a player with his gentler speed and nuanced skills.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have been a fan growing up watching those guys. They are some of the best who have ever done it and people I’ve tried to emulate,” he said.

“They’re tough acts to follow, aren’t they? But as a fan and as a bowler, trying to sort of learn from them and watch them, it’s been very valuable.

“At 27 I feel like a better cricketer for the experiences I’ve had in the game. The older you get, you probably feel more comfortable and I know that I’m never going to be a 90mph bowler.

“I think it’s probably driven me on and made me a better bowler for it. I certainly trust what I do and feel comfortable in my own skin.”

Anticipation

Cook’s appearance in Nottingham was flagged up several weeks ago when England requested he be rested from Essex’s County Championship match against Worcestershire and he has had a couple of weeks to digest his official call-up, building the anticipation.

“I think having a little bit of lead time to process it is probably good but you just want to get stuck in straight away,” he said.

“I was sort of like a kid at Christmas that week, almost wanting it to go quicker just to get here. I’m just excited at the prospect of what’s potentially to come and trying to get stuck in and take some wickets.”

If he does, Cook will be adding them to the ‘little black book’ he keeps to record his victims.

“It started as a bit of a joke when I was younger,” he explained.

“It’s something I can look back on when I finish playing. It’ll be a nice memento. There’ll be some good names in there and a few more to come hopefully. When I was quite young I got Joe Root first ball. I’ll let him know about that one. Maybe he can sign it this week.”

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