England vs Zimbabwe 1st Test: Prediction, Dream11 Team, Betting Tips, Playing XI, Pitch & Weather Report
In this highly anticipated clash, England vs Zimbabwe prediction heavily tilts in favor of the hosts as they welcome Zimbabwe to Trent Bridge for a rare four-day Test starting Thursday, 22nd May 2025. This will be the first Test between the two nations since 2003, and England are expected to dominate with their aggressive “Bazball” approach. With several new faces in the lineup and seasoned batters like Joe Root and Ben Stokes, England aim to kick off their international summer with a convincing win. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are looking to prove their mettle against a top-tier opponent and build on their modest Test record in 2025.
Match Details
| Match | ENG vs ZIM, 1st Test (4-day Match) |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, May 22, 2025 – Monday, May 26, 2025 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST / 11:00 AM Local |
| Venue | Trent Bridge, Nottingham |
| Live Stream | Fancode |
Team Previews
England Preview
England are entering the Test season with renewed intent after underwhelming white-ball performances earlier in the year. Under the leadership of Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, the team is ready to reinforce its Test dominance. This match marks a slight generational shift, with legendary pacers like James Anderson and Stuart Broad no longer part of the setup. Instead, England will field an inexperienced but exciting pace trio—Sam Cook (on debut), Josh Tongue, and Gus Atkinson—along with promising spinner Shoaib Bashir.
In the batting department, England boast a strong core with Joe Root and Ben Stokes forming the backbone. Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope, meanwhile, are under pressure to deliver. Youngsters like Harry Brook and keeper Jamie Smith bring flair and fresh energy. The team will look to score quickly and put Zimbabwe under sustained pressure—something that has become a hallmark of Bazball cricket.
Playing at home, where the ball is expected to swing, this will be an ideal setup for England’s bowlers to expose the Zimbabwean batting order. With this match setting the tone for upcoming challenges against India and Australia, expect England to go full throttle.
Zimbabwe Preview
Zimbabwe are in the midst of a rebuilding phase and will consider this match an invaluable experience. Despite being massive underdogs, they bring some notable experience to the table. Captain Craig Ervine, seasoned all-rounder Sean Williams, and versatile Sikandar Raza will carry the bulk of responsibility.
Zimbabwe’s batting line-up includes Northamptonshire’s Ben Curran—brother of England internationals Tom and Sam—who’s familiar with English conditions. Williams, with a Test average above 44, has been in fine form and will be key to resisting England’s pace attack. If he can anchor the innings, Zimbabwe could hope to post respectable totals.
Bowling-wise, Zimbabwe will rely on pace duo Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava to exploit Trent Bridge’s swing-friendly track. Raza’s off-spin will add variety, especially if the pitch starts turning later in the match.
While the team has just one Test win in 2025, this match is less about winning and more about testing their resilience against an elite side. If their senior players click and the bowlers can take early wickets, Zimbabwe might trouble England more than expected.
Fantasy Team XI & Tips
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Batsmen | Joe Root, Zak Crawley, Ben Curran, Sean Williams |
| All-rounders | Ben Stokes (C), Sikandar Raza (VC), Ollie Pope |
| Wicketkeeper | Jamie Smith |
| Bowlers | Sam Cook, Gus Atkinson, Blessing Muzarabani |
Captain Picks:
- Ben Stokes – Reliable all-rounder, can turn the match with bat or ball.
- Sikandar Raza – Zimbabwe’s best fantasy pick for his all-round contributions.
Players to Avoid:
- Nick Welch – Inexperienced at this level and likely to struggle against English bowlers.
- Wessly Madhevere – Hasn’t shown consistency in Tests so far.
Fantasy Analysis:
Prioritize English batters for their home advantage and attacking mindset. Root and Stokes are safe picks. Zimbabwean value picks like Raza and Williams offer fantasy potential due to their all-round ability.
Favourite Team Today (Why)
England are undoubtedly the favourites due to several factors. Firstly, they have a far superior Test history and the comfort of home conditions. Secondly, their squad is balanced with aggressive batters and fresh bowling talent eager to prove themselves. The Bazball approach thrives on momentum, and facing an inexperienced Zimbabwe side offers the ideal launchpad for the season. Also, the psychological edge of a 3-0 head-to-head record over Zimbabwe cannot be overlooked. Expect England to dominate with both bat and ball from Day 1.
England Test History
England are one of the most seasoned sides in Test history. Out of 1083 Tests, they’ve won 400, lost 328, and drawn 355. They have a rich legacy with famous Ashes wins, home series victories, and iconic players like Alastair Cook, Ian Botham, and Jimmy Anderson. Their aggressive new era under Stokes and McCullum has breathed life into Test cricket with their Bazball revolution.
Zimbabwe Test History
Zimbabwe have played 123 Test matches in their history. They have managed just 14 wins, with 79 losses and 30 draws. While their performance has been modest, they’ve produced talents like Heath Streak, Andy Flower, and Sean Williams. In recent years, their Test outings have been limited, but games like these are vital for development.
Head to Head Stats
| Matches | England Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Zimbabwe have never beaten England in Test cricket. Of the six encounters, England have won half, and the remaining three have ended in draws. Most matches were one-sided, though Zimbabwe did show grit in some drawn games in the early 2000s.
Pitch Report – Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Trent Bridge is known for its swing-friendly conditions, especially on the first two days. Seam bowlers usually get assistance with lateral movement. However, the pitch can flatten out and become easier for batting as the match progresses. Spinners might come into play on Day 4 if the game lasts that long.
Weather Report
The weather forecast looks promising with minimal rain expected. Some overcast spells could aid swing bowlers early on. Temperatures will hover between 15°C and 20°C, with gentle winds—ideal for cricket.
Broadcast Details
- Live Streaming: Fancode (India)
- TV Broadcast: Not available in India, select UK broadcasters TBD.
Toss Prediction
- Toss Winner: England
- Decision: England to bowl first
Match Prediction
- Winner: England will win
England’s superior experience, home advantage, and squad depth make them overwhelming favorites to win this Test match against Zimbabwe.
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
FAQ – ENG vs ZIM 1st Test
Q1: Who will win today’s England vs Zimbabwe Test match?
England are favorites and expected to win comfortably.
Q2: What is the head-to-head record between ENG and ZIM?
England lead 3-0 in 6 matches; the other 3 were drawn.
Q3: Who are the top fantasy captain picks for ENG vs ZIM?
Ben Stokes and Sikandar Raza are strong captain/vice-captain choices.
Q4: What is the pitch like at Trent Bridge?
The pitch assists seamers early on and flattens for batting later.
Q5: Where can I watch ENG vs ZIM Test live?
The match will be streamed live on the Fancode app.
Q6: Who are the players to avoid in fantasy for this match?
Nick Welch and Wessly Madhevere due to lack of impact performances.
Disclaimer: Predictions are for entertainment purposes only. We don’t get involved in or promote betting or gambling. Also, We strongly discourage behaviors of participating in illegal activities related to cricket. Our experts try to be as correct as possible, but we do not guarantee 100% correctness.
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