England name playing 12 for first Test against New Zealand
London, June 2
The England and Wales Cricket Board has named a 12-player squad for the first Test against New Zealand, set to begin on Thursday at Lord's.
The squad features two uncapped players -- Durham top-order batter Emilio Gay and Hampshire pacer Sonny Baker -- while Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson has earned a recall to the Test side for the first time since February 2024.
England captain Ben Stokes will lead the side, which also includes key players such as Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Duckett.
The selection reflects England's continued focus on blending experienced campaigners with emerging talent as the team prepares for the high-profile series opener against New Zealand at the Home of Cricket.
The match at Lord's marks the beginning of England's latest Test assignment, with the side looking to start the series on a strong note in front of home conditions.
New Zealand have recalled Mitchell Santner to their Test squad for the series against England, kickstarting at Lord's from June 4, after he recovered from a shoulder injury sustained during the Indian Premier League (IPL) while playing for Mumbai Indians.
The 34-year-old had initially been ruled out of the opening Test at Lord's, as well as the one-off Test against Ireland, after scans revealed a grade-three shoulder injury requiring a month of rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, New Zealand secured an innings victory over Ireland in under three days, with standout bowling performances from Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner, while Daryl Mitchell also contributed with his medium pace.
Matt Henry missed the match due to a minor hamstring strain and has instead travelled to London alongside Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke to prepare for the upcoming England series.
England's playing 12 for the opening Test vs New Zealand: Ben Stokes (captain), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper) and Josh Tongue.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see England trying new faces, but Ollie Robinson's recall feels a bit rushed. He hasn't been in great form lately. Also, where's Mark Wood? Pace is key at Lord's. New Zealand look solid with Santner back, and Daryl Mitchell is a real threat with both bat and ball. Should be a cracker! 🇮🇳
England's strategy of blending youth and experience is commendable. But I wonder if they're being too aggressive with their selections. Sonny Baker is talented, but Test cricket is a different beast. New Zealand, on the other hand, have a settled unit. Santner's inclusion adds depth. Let's see how this plays out. 🤔
As an Indian cricket fan, I always enjoy watching England vs New Zealand. Both teams have a lot of talent. Joe Root and Harry Brook are key for England, but New Zealand's bowling attack is world-class. Excited to see how Emilio Gay handles the pressure at Lord's. Also, hope Mitchell Santner is fully fit after that IPL injury. 🙏
England's squad looks promising, but I'm a bit skeptical about the uncapped players. Test cricket is a huge step up from domestic. New Zealand's win over Ireland was impressive, especially from Smith and Tickner. Santner's return is a big boost. Lord's will be a good test for both sides. Let's see who handles the conditions better.
Honestly, England's selection seems a bit experimental for a series opener. I understand the need to develop
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.