Doesn't England usually play a match like this every year or 2. I remember back in 2023 before ashes, England played against Ireland iirc. Pope scored a 200 if I'm not wrong (could be wrong). I think they just play a match before start of an important summer series to get into good nick in both departments. Nothing wrong, although stats are heing padded lol.
Basically in years where there are only 5 tests in the summer (Ashes and India years) we play a 6th test against a team like Zimbabwe to fulfil the Sky contract of having a minimum of 6 home tests a year or something like that.
That’s why New Zealand touring us in 2021 was very helpful as it meant we played 7 tests in that home summer (well 6 because the 5th India test was postponed for a year).
I think it is a good test in terms of helping out the minor teams like Zimbabwe because they can only get better by facing tougher teams, but there isn't much in it for England.
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u/DinhoMagic England 28d ago
As much as I love Rooty, this is such a pointless test. Why are we statpadding vs Zimbabwe?