The England cricket team have named a 12-member squad for the 1st Test against New Zealand which will commence from June 4 onwards at Lord’s. With the T20 World Cup 2026 and the IPL 2026 done and dusted, the focus once again is back on Test cricket as Ben Stokes and co. will be looking to make amends after suffering a thrashing at the hands of Australia in the Ashes last year. Two uncapped players have been named a part of England’s squad for the 1st Test against the Kiwis.
England name 12-man squad for ENG vs NZ 1st Test
Ben Stokes (C)
Gus Atkinson
Sonny Baker
Shoaib Bashir
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook
Ben Duckett
Emilio Gay
Ollie Robinson
Joe Root
Jamie Smith (wk)
Josh Tongue
Durham top-order batter Emilio Gay and Hampshire pace bowler Sonny Baker are the two uncapped players who have been included in the squad. Meanwhile, pacer Ollie Robinson is all set to make his comeback after having featured last for England in February 2024.
After featuring for Rajasthan Royals (RR) regularly in IPL 2026, Jofra Archer has been rested for the 1st Test against New Zealand. The pace attack will comprise of Tongue, Atkinson, Baker, Robinson and captain Stokes.
Among notable exlusions from the squad is that of Zak Crawley. Despite being given a long rope, the England opener fared rather poorly in the Ashes, averaging just 27.30. He has been dropped, with Gay emerging as the frontrunner to replace him at the top of the order. Earlier, England director Rob Key had confirmed that Gay will make his England debut in the 1st Test against NZ and will open the innings along with Ben Duckett.
At present, England are 7th on the World Test Championship (WTC 2025/27) standings. In 10 matches that Stokes and co. have played in the ongoing cycle, the team has won just 3 matches and have lost 6 and drawn 1. The series against New Zealand will be crucial for England to revive their campaign and attempt to move closer to the top half of the points table as they chase the elusive mace.
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