Cricket

ENG Vs ZIM, One-Off Test: England 'Getting Into The Swing Of Things' After Routing Zimbabwe, Says Ben Stokes

The one-off, four-day Test match was wrapped up on day three as Bashir took six wickets in the second innings at Trent Bridge

Ben-Stokes
England captain Ben Stokes.
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England captain Ben Stokes was thrilled with his side's return to Test cricket following their dominant victory over Zimbabwe. (As It Happened)

The one-off Test at Trent Bridge marked England's first red-ball match since their tour of New Zealand in December.

Shoaib Bashir starred as England wrapped up a comfortable innings and 45-run win, taking six wickets in the second innings to bowl Zimbabwe out for 255 after England enforced the follow-on.

Bashir added to his three-wicket haul from the first innings to finish with career-best match figures of 9-143.

Stokes, too, enjoyed a good outing with the ball following some recent injury issues that have prevented him from bowling at full tilt.

The England skipper ended the match with figures of 3-52.

England바카라s top-order also enjoyed a lovely return to form, with all three of Zak Crawley (124), Ben Duckett (140) and Ollie Pope (171) scoring centuries.

Speaking to Test Match Special, Stokes was particularly pleased with his side바카라s performance with the ball.

바카라I thought we took our time to get into the Test match with the ball, but we ended the day really nicely yesterday,바카라 he said.

바카라Zimbabwe have some quality players, with the first-innings hundred [by Bennett] and Williams.

바카라We stuck at the task, we had to try a few different things, and I was pretty pleased with how we ended up finishing.

바카라It's been a long time since we've played Test cricket,바카라 he said. 바카라It was obvious yesterday there's a change of intensity required for Test cricket, but we got into the swing of things.바카라

Reflecting on his own display, Stokes added: 바카라I felt really good today, felt I was in a good rhythm, it's another good week to get through.바카라

Bashir, who picked up the Player of the Match award for his nine-wicket haul, knows consistency is key to his development.

바카라There's always room to improve,바카라 the 21-year-old said. 바카라I want to work on my consistency, especially when you come up against right-hand/left-hand. It takes me a while to ease into my spells.바카라

He enjoyed a fantastic outing, becoming the youngest England bowler to take 50 Test wickets during the first innings.

With his six-for in the second innings, he became only the fourth player to have taken three five-wicket hauls before turning 22.

England will next host the West Indies for a white-ball series before facing India in a marquee Test series.

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