Cook to make England debut in Zimbabwe Test

Sam Cook will make his England debut in the four-day Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge from Thursday, live on Sky Sports.

The Essex seam bowler has been rewarded for taking 321 first-class wickets in 89 games at an average of 19.85, including 10 in the County Championship so far this year.

Cook, 27, is preferred in the XI to Durham's Matthew Potts and will form a pace attack with Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and fit-again captain Ben Stokes.

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James Rew - called up to the squad as back-up batter after Jordan Cox's abdominal injury - is the other player to miss out on selection from the 13-man party.

Tongue will make his first England appearance in close to two years after suffering hamstring and pectoral injuries since playing against Ireland and Australia in 2023.

The Nottinghamshire quick has bagged 15 wickets in three County Championship fixtures this season, including two five-wicket hauls.

England are without experienced seamers Chris Woakes (ankle) and Mark Wood (knee), while Brydon Carse is recovering from a toe injury and Olly Stone (knee) is also out.

Watch England's four-day Test match against Zimbabwe live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am on Thursday. Stream cricket and more top sport with NOW.