- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 475,771
- Reaction score
- 45
England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge on May 22 marks the start of their home summer and a welcome return for captain Ben Stokes, who’s back from a hamstring injury. But it’s also a window of opportunity for new faces—and none more so than Sam Cook, finally getting his Test call-up after years of quiet excellence.
At 27, Cook’s red-ball record speaks volumes: 318 first-class wickets at 19.77, numbers that outshine many of his peers. Yet until now, he remained uncapped, stuck behind flashier names in the pecking order. While others cashed in at T20 leagues, Cook stayed loyal to the longer format, turning down franchise offers to play for England Lions in Australia. His 13 wickets there, followed by a 10-wicket haul using the Kookaburra ball at Trent Bridge, proved he could thrive in conditions that don't favor English seamers.
Cook isn’t quick—hovering in the low 80s mph—but he’s relentlessly accurate. Think Vernon Philander, not Jofra Archer. His subtle seam movement, discipline, and ability to read batters have made him Essex’s strike weapon for years. In the absence of Chris Woakes, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, Cook may take the new ball in Nottingham.
His long wait reflects how tough it is to break into England’s pace attack. But national selector Luke Wright insisted, “If you keep knocking, we’re watching.” With Woakes out and Ollie Robinson also struggling for fitness, Cook's moment has come.
The squad also includes the in-form Jordan Cox, called up after a strong start to the County Championship. Jamie Smith, who was excused from England Lions duty in Sri Lanka for personal reasons, returns as a wicketkeeping option. Josh Tongue, who impressed in the Ashes before injury, is back as well.
While England have bigger contests ahead—India in the summer, Australia in the winter—this match is about balance: resting key players like Root and Bairstow, while rewarding domestic consistency. For Cook, it’s a chance to show that in a world of white-ball contracts and short-term fame, Test cricket still values the long game.
And sometimes, just sometimes, the quietest bowlers make the loudest statements.
Continue reading...
At 27, Cook’s red-ball record speaks volumes: 318 first-class wickets at 19.77, numbers that outshine many of his peers. Yet until now, he remained uncapped, stuck behind flashier names in the pecking order. While others cashed in at T20 leagues, Cook stayed loyal to the longer format, turning down franchise offers to play for England Lions in Australia. His 13 wickets there, followed by a 10-wicket haul using the Kookaburra ball at Trent Bridge, proved he could thrive in conditions that don't favor English seamers.
Cook isn’t quick—hovering in the low 80s mph—but he’s relentlessly accurate. Think Vernon Philander, not Jofra Archer. His subtle seam movement, discipline, and ability to read batters have made him Essex’s strike weapon for years. In the absence of Chris Woakes, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, Cook may take the new ball in Nottingham.
His long wait reflects how tough it is to break into England’s pace attack. But national selector Luke Wright insisted, “If you keep knocking, we’re watching.” With Woakes out and Ollie Robinson also struggling for fitness, Cook's moment has come.
The squad also includes the in-form Jordan Cox, called up after a strong start to the County Championship. Jamie Smith, who was excused from England Lions duty in Sri Lanka for personal reasons, returns as a wicketkeeping option. Josh Tongue, who impressed in the Ashes before injury, is back as well.
While England have bigger contests ahead—India in the summer, Australia in the winter—this match is about balance: resting key players like Root and Bairstow, while rewarding domestic consistency. For Cook, it’s a chance to show that in a world of white-ball contracts and short-term fame, Test cricket still values the long game.
And sometimes, just sometimes, the quietest bowlers make the loudest statements.
Continue reading...
