Wafric News – May 8, 2025

England have made a late change to their squad ahead of the historic one-off Test against Zimbabwe, with 21-year-old Somerset batter James Rew drafted in to replace the injured Jordan Cox.

Rew, who is yet to make his international debut, has impressed in the County Championship this season, averaging over 54 with the bat, including a standout knock of 152. The left-hander was part of the England Under-19 team that reached the World Cup final in 2022 and recently toured Australia with the England Lions.

He will now join the senior squad for a training camp ahead of the May 22 Test at Trent Bridge—the first time Zimbabwe will play a Test on English soil since 2003.

Cox, 24, sustained the injury on Sunday while playing for Essex against Somerset, the very side Rew represents. He had been in strong form, registering scores of 82 and 117 this season, and was unbeaten on 103 when forced to retire hurt with what has now been confirmed as a match-ending injury.

This is a second cruel blow for Cox, who was set to make his debut last year in New Zealand before a broken thumb ruled him out.

Zimbabwe Return to UK Test Cricket After Two Decades

The fixture carries added significance as Zimbabwe return to Test cricket in the UK for the first time in over two decades. Their last tour in 2003 is best remembered for the debut of England fast bowler James Anderson, who would go on to become the country's most prolific wicket-taker.

While England’s clash with Zimbabwe is a one-off Test, it serves as a warm-up to their much-anticipated five-Test series against India, starting on June 20 at Headingley.

England Squad Overview

Ben Stokes will lead a squad that blends experience with youth. Alongside seasoned names like Joe Root and Ollie Pope, fresh faces like Rew and Shoaib Bashir offer a glimpse of England’s next generation of Test cricketers.

England squad: Ben Stokes (Durham, captain), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Sam Cook (Essex), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), James Rew (Somerset), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire).

Fans across the UK can catch the action live on BBC TV and iPlayer, with England’s summer of cricket kicking off officially with the women’s T20 international against the West Indies on May 21.


By WafricNews Desk.