Il Nuovo Postiglione - Cook strikes on debut after England run riot against Zimbabwe

Essex paceman Cook, rewarded for a career that had yielded 321 first-class at an average of 19.5 before this match, was the first England debutant to send down the opening over of a Test innings since James Kirtley at Trent Bridge in 2003.

The 27-year-old conceded three successive fours in his first over, Brian Bennett doing the damage with a fine cover drive as well as a couple of edges.

Cook, however, had success in just his third over when Ben Curran, on six, edged a full-length ball to Brook at second slip, with Zimbabwe then 31-1.

Curran is the son of the late Zimbabwe star Kevin Curran and the brother of England internationals Sam and Tom.

But with Zimbabwe needing a total of 416 just to avoid the follow-on in this four-day match, Bennett (36 not out) and captain Craig Ervine (30 not out) took the visitors to 73-1 at lunch on the second day.

Earlier, Brook struck a typically rapid 58 off just 50 before his exit saw England captain Ben Stokes declare 46 minutes into the day's play.

- Run-spree -

England resumed in a commanding position of 498-3 with Ollie Pope unbeaten on 169 after openers Zak Crawley (124) and Ben Duckett (140) had also made hundreds.

It was the most runs scored in a day by one team in a Test in England since England made 503 against South Africa at Lord's in 1924.

And not since the same three batsmen all reached three figures against Pakistan at Rawalpindi in December 2022 had England's top three all made hundreds on the first day of a Test.

Zimbabwe's cause, in their first Test in England in 22 years, was not helped by the fact paceman Richard Ngarava only sent down nine overs Thursday before suffering a back spasm and did not bowl again Friday.

Play resumed beneath in ideal, sunny batting conditions on a good batting pitch but Zimbabwe still managed an early breakthrough.

Pope had added just two runs to his overnight score when he drove at a pitched up delivery from Tanaka Chivanga and edged behind.

His exit brought in Stokes, making his comeback after a lengthy rehabilitation from his latest hamstring injury.

Stokes was soon into his stride with a cover-driven four off Blessing Muzarabani.

But it was Brook who punished Zimbabwe's outclassed attack most severely, hitting consecutive fours off Chivanga, a cut followed by a carving drive over mid-off.

It was Muzarabani's turn to suffer next over as Brook smashed him for successive sixes, a thumping pull preceding a remarkable pick-up shot that sailed high over fine leg.

The towering Muzarabani, however, bounced out Stokes (nine), with the all-rounder top-edging a hook to fine leg where Curran held a well-judged catch.

Brook went to fifty with another six off Muzarabani before playing on to the persevering paceman, who finished with 3-143 in 24.3 overs.

T.Barbieri--INP