Ben Stokes’s England will begin their long and defining red-ball campaign against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge on Thursday, setting the tone for a year that features high-stakes series against heavyweights India and Australia.
The four-day fixture against the 10th-ranked Zimbabweans will serve as a tune-up for a grueling five-Test series in India starting July, followed by an Ashes rematch later this year — a chance to reclaim the urn that slipped away in 2023.
As England brace for the challenges ahead, AFP Sport breaks down three pressing questions facing their red-ball unit:
1. Ben Stokes’s Fitness – A Crucial Gamble
Back in the XI after a lengthy layoff, Ben Stokes is set to resume Test duties as a genuine all-rounder, having missed action since December due to a hamstring tear sustained in New Zealand.
Determined to return at full capacity, the 33-year-old has taken a new approach to rehabilitation, including abstaining from alcohol to speed up recovery and manage his body under a packed calendar.
“There’s so much more cricket, so much in the schedule, that it’s impossible for the body to withstand it all — especially with the downsides of what a couple of beers can do the next day,” Stokes explained on the Untapped podcast.
Stokes’s record — 13 centuries and 210 wickets in 110 Tests — barely scratches the surface of his match-winning prowess. England would love to use him as their fourth seamer, allowing them to pick three frontline quicks without compromising the batting order. But his fitness remains a tightrope walk, especially with bigger opponents looming.
2. Post-Broad-Anderson Era Begins
This summer marks a turning point for English Test bowling — the first home campaign without either James Anderson or Stuart Broad in over a decade.
Anderson’s retirement last year closed the book on a golden generation of English seamers, with him and Broad combining for a staggering 1,308 Test wickets.
But injuries to Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Olly Stone, and Brydon Carse have hindered England’s plans to lean on raw pace.
Looking for depth and durability, selectors have called up uncapped Essex seamer Sam Cook, who brings 321 first-class wickets at under 20 apiece. While not express pace, Cook offers relentless accuracy and control — qualities that may prove invaluable as England build a new bowling core.
3. Top-Order Troubles Persist
For all their flair and aggression under ‘Bazball’, England’s top order continues to show alarming inconsistencies.
Zak Crawley, despite his elegance, averages just 30.51 in 53 Tests and was notably off-colour during the tour of New Zealand. Yet, Stokes and Brendon McCullum continue to back him, citing his positive intent and match-shaping ability.
Ollie Pope, entrenched at number three — a position Joe Root refuses to reclaim — also needs a defining knock, with just over 34 from 55 Tests.
England’s hopes often rest on the shoulders of Root and the dynamic Harry Brook, but the reliance is becoming untenable. If England are to compete in India and regain the Ashes, consistency from the top three is non-negotiable.
With Zimbabwe first up, England have a chance to experiment, solidify roles, and rediscover form. But the real tests — in Mumbai and Melbourne — are fast approaching, and England’s red-ball revival will only be measured by results against the best.