England openers share unbeaten century stand in lone Zimbabwe Test

Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley both made fifties as they launched England’s home season with an unbeaten century opening stand in a one-off four-day Test against Zimbabwe in Nottingham on Thursday.

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine, in his side’s first Test in England in 22 years, won the toss in overcast conditions and decided to bowl in the hope his four-man pace attack could make the most of the cloud cover above Trent Bridge, a ground renowned for aiding swing and seam bowlers.

But despite the grey skies and a green-tinged pitch, England reached lunch on the first day of four in a strong position at 130 without loss from 26 overs.

Left-hander Duckett, on his Nottinghamshire home ground, was 75 not out and Crawley, who had a woeful average of under nine during England’s preceding Test series in New Zealand, 53 not out.

Ervine’s decision to field was all the more understandable given Zimbabwe had suffered a 138-run thrashing at the hands of a youthful County Select XI in their lone warm-up match last week.

But while his attack got the occasional ball to deviate sharply, they too often failed to make the most of the favourable conditions as a result of either over-pitching or bowling too short.

The closest Zimbabwe came to a breakthrough was when Crawley, on 10, chipped a drive just past the outstretched hand of new-ball bowler Blessing Muzarabani.

But when Muzarabani dropped short, Crawley pulled him for four, and the Kent batsman also unfurled several trademark cover-drives.

Duckett, meanwhile, batted in his usual aggressive style, although there was a touch of good fortune when he went to his fifty by edging a cut over the slips off Tanaka Chivanga for a ninth four in 47 balls faced.

Crawley followed his opening partner to the landmark in 76 balls.

Zimbabwe’s fielding became increasingly ragged as the session wore on, with a powerful Duckett drive somehow evading the despairing dives of two men stationed in the covers.

England captain Ben Stokes is making a comeback to cricket this week after the all-rounder’s lengthy rehabilitation from his latest hamstring tear.

This match also acts as a warm-up for England’s upcoming five-match series at home to India before they head to Australia for the Ashes later this year.