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England Trio's Triple Ton Pounds Zimbabwe To Script Fate On Day 1 Of Only Test

Soumyajit Dutta

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett [Source: @EnglandCricket/X]Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett [Source: @EnglandCricket/X]

England stamped their authority in the only Test against Zimbabwe on Day 1 at Trent Bridge, finishing with a commanding total of 498 for 3 in 88 overs after being asked to bat first. The day belonged to the English batters as the Zimbabwean bowlers toiled hard but had little success on a docile surface.

Hosts Pile On The Runs As Zimbabwe Toil Hard

Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett gave England a dream start with a blistering 231-run stand for the first wicket. Duckett was the more aggressive of the two, scoring a run-a-ball 140 off 134 deliveries, laced with 20 boundaries and two sixes. 

Ben Duckett was dismissed against the run of play, caught by Curran off Wessly Madhevere’s part-time spin. Crawley followed soon after for a well-crafted 124 off 171 balls, featuring 14 fours, trapped leg-before by Sikandar Raza. 

Crawley's dismissal ended another significant partnership of 137 runs with Ollie Pope, who took over the baton with a breathtaking display of batting.

Pope Continues the Onslaught

Ollie Pope remained unbeaten on 169 from just 163 balls at stumps, scoring at a brisk strike rate of 103.68 with 24 fours and two sixes. He stitched another crucial 111-run stand with Joe Root, who chipped in with 34 before falling to Blessing Muzarabani. 

At close of play, Harry Brook was at the crease with Pope on 9, and the pair will resume England's innings on Day 2.

England in Prime Position for Day 2

For Zimbabwe, it was a tough outing on the field. Despite bowling 88 overs, they managed to pick up only three wickets, with Raza, Madhevere, and Muzarabani among the successful ones. 

With seven wickets still in hand and Pope looking set for a double century, England will look to push the score well beyond 600 on Day 2, while Zimbabwe will hope to find some inspiration to claw their way back into the contest.