England beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 45 runs inside three days of the one-off Test at Trent Bridge, led by off-spinner Shoaib Bashir’s career-best 6-81._
TRENT BRIDGE — England beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 45 runs inside three days of the one-off Test at Trent Bridge, led by off-spinner Shoaib Bashir’s career-best 6-81.
Zimbabwe, following on after their first-innings 265, were dismissed for 255 in the second innings, falling 15 minutes before tea on day three. Tanaka Chivanga was pinned lbw by a low grubber from Bashir, with the injured Richard Ngarava unable to bat.
There were moments of resistance—Sean Williams made 88 in a 122-run stand with Ben Curran (37), while Sikandar Raza hit a brisk 60—but the tourists couldn’t force a fourth day.
Bashir, operating with drift and dip from the Radcliffe Road End, was outstanding. The 21-year-old, once loaned to Glamorgan, became the youngest England bowler to reach 50 Test wickets and only the fourth to take three five-fors before age 22.
Harry Brook added a highlight catch to remove Wesley Madhevere, while England skipper Ben Stokes bowled solidly on his return from injury.
Though England’s pace bowlers toiled on a lifeless pitch—debutant Sam Cook struggled, and Gus Atkinson lacked threat—there were positives. Ollie Pope (171), Ben Duckett (140), and Zak Crawley (124) earlier powered England to 565-6 declared.
Despite the mismatch, Zimbabwe fans sang throughout, and Bennett’s 139 on day two set a national record for the fastest Test ton. But the gulf in class told.
England now prepare for sterner summer Tests against India and Australia.
Kukurigo Sport
