Duckett, Crawley, and Pope Pile on the Pain as England Smash Day-One Record
Nottingham, May 22, 2025 – England’s top order produced a relentless batting display on day one of the first Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, finishing on a mammoth 498 for 3, the highest total ever recorded on the opening day of a Test match in England.
The batting feast was led by Ben Duckett, who scored his fifth Test century, his first at his home ground at exactly a run a ball, and Zak Crawley, who notched his first century in nearly two years. Together, they put on England’s best opening stand at home since 1960. Their efforts were seamlessly continued by Ollie Pope, who closed the day unbeaten on 169 off 163 balls, his third century in as many appearances at this venue.
The visitors, fielding an XI entirely new to English Test conditions, had no answer to England’s aggressive but measured approach. Zimbabwe’s bowlers were unable to find rhythm, and early signs of trouble seen during their loss to a County Select XI the previous week, were confirmed on a chastening first day of the series.
Opting to bowl under overcast skies, Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine hoped for assistance from the conditions. However, that decision quickly backfired. The pace attack, which included Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, and Victor Nyauchi, lacked consistency. Ngarava bowled just nine overs before leaving the field with a back spasm and was mostly absent for the remainder of the day. Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe’s sole spinner, offered 24 overs but posed little threat.
Duckett and Crawley began cautiously, scoring only 19 runs in the first six overs. But it didn’t take long for the floodgates to open. Crawley announced his intentions with a crisp drive through the covers, and Duckett followed with aggressive strokeplay off the front and back foot. Zimbabwe’s bowlers quickly came under pressure, with Chivanga conceding 12 runs in his first over. Duckett reached his half-century in 47 balls, while Crawley followed shortly after, guiding England to 130 without loss at lunch.
After the break, Duckett had a couple of nervy moments, once edging Nyauchi through a gap, and later nearly chipping a return catch but remained composed. He reverse-swept and cut Raza to race into the 90s, eventually reaching his hundred with a neatly worked single.
Duckett’s innings grew in intensity as he powered past 130, hitting boundaries and even a six off Chivanga. However, his surge ended abruptly when he miscued a drive off Wessly Madhevere to cover—Zimbabwe’s first breakthrough of the day and a rare moment of celebration.
Any hopes of a Zimbabwean comeback were quickly extinguished by Ollie Pope, who made his intentions clear from ball one, hitting six boundaries in his first 18 deliveries. By tea, he was on 49, while Crawley had crept up to 93. Pope completed his fifty in the third session, and Crawley soon followed with a patient century, his first since July 2023, celebrating with a reserved acknowledgment.
Crawley’s innings ended at 124 when he was adjudged lbw to Raza, missing a sweep shot. He reviewed, but the ball was shown to be clipping leg stump. Still, England’s momentum didn’t falter. Pope continued to dominate with his trademark fluency, and Joe Root joined the party by becoming only the fifth player in history to reach 13,000 Test runs.
When Zimbabwe opted for the second new ball, it only added to their woes. Pope and Root cashed in, with Pope bringing up his 150, and Root helping himself to boundaries until a top-edged hook off Muzarabani landed in the hands of Sean Williams at fine leg. It was a minor consolation for the visitors.
Harry Brook then joined Pope, and the pair safely saw England through to stumps at 498 for 3. Pope remained unbeaten on 169, with England firmly in control and Zimbabwe left to reflect on a long, bruising day in unfamiliar territory.
England vs Zimbabwe – 1st Test, Day 1 Summary
Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Date: May 22, 2025
England 1st Innings:
498/3 in 88 overs at stumps
- Ollie Pope – 169* (163 balls, 22 fours, 1 six)
- Ben Duckett – 140 (131 balls, 21 fours, 2 sixes)
- Zak Crawley – 124 (199 balls, 14 fours)
- Joe Root – 26 (35 balls)
- Harry Brook – 17* (18 balls)
Fall of wickets: 1-234 (Duckett), 2-376 (Crawley), 3-445 (Root)
Zimbabwe bowling highlights:
- Blessing Muzarabani: 1/100 (20 overs)
- Sikandar Raza: 1/105 (24 overs)
- Wessly Madhevere: 1/25 (4 overs)
- Highest-ever score by a team on Day 1 of a Test in England
The headline should say 498 rather than 488 (as in the main report).
Sadly Zimbabwe did not feel confident enough to bat first on winning the toss, despite the inexperienced England attack on offer at the start of the six test season this summer in England. This game will tell England nothing about how to approach the big event to come – the five tests against India.
Interestingly this is a four day test, truncated possibly because the authorities felt that it would not last into five days.
Thank you. The correction was made.