The England and Wales Cricket Board has named a fresh-looking 15-player squad for the opening Test against New Zealand at Lord’s Cricket Ground, starting on June 4, 2026.
The biggest talking point is the omission of opener Zak Crawley and vice-captain Ollie Pope after England’s disappointing 4-1 Ashes loss in Australia earlier this year.
England have instead turned to fresh faces, with three uncapped players earning their maiden Test call-ups. Durham batter Emilio Gay, Hampshire fast bowler Sonny Baker, and Somerset wicketkeeper-batter James Rew are all in line to make their Test debuts.
Captain Ben Stokes will lead a squad that mixes experience with youth. Senior stars Joe Root and Harry Brook remain key figures in the batting group, while Ben Duckett is expected to continue at the top of the order.
A major comeback story is the return of Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson. The fast bowler has been recalled for the first time in more than two years and is likely to lead England’s pace attack alongside Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue.
England have also backed spin options Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir. Ahmed could now play his first-ever Test match on home soil after featuring only in away Tests earlier in his career.
The squad selection is also the first under new England Men’s National Selector Marcus North, the former Australian batter who recently took charge of the role.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Jofra Archer has not been included as England continue to carefully manage his return to red-ball cricket after repeated injury setbacks.
England Squad for First Test vs New Zealand: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue.