Sam Cook: Essex seamer rested at England’s request

England managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key and selector Luke Wright have both publicly praised Cook in recent weeks.

Last year, Key said Cook would have been the replacement had Woakes been injured at the end the summer, filling the role as another skilful fast-medium bowler with England keen to have variety in their pace attack.

Gus Atkinson, England’s leading wicket-taker in 2024, will play his first match of the season for Surrey this week.

Josh Tongue, who can bowl at a higher pace and played his last Test during the 2023 Ashes, will also feature for Nottinghamshire, having taken seven wickets in their season opener against Durham as he continues his return after a series of injuries.

There is hope Jofra Archer will return to red-ball cricket this summer but he is currently at the Indian Premier League. England do not plan to recall players from that competition early and the group stage ends four days before the Zimbabwe Test.

Durham seamer Matthew Potts, who played in England’s last Test in New Zealand in December, is another option.