England Men’s head coach Chris Silverwood has named a 15-member squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, starting 2 June at Lord’s. Riding on impressive form in the ongoing County Championship, Gloucestershire ’keeper-batter James Bracey and Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson have earned maiden Test call-ups.
While Bracey has amassed 478 runs in five matches so far this season, Robinson has claimed 29 wickets in the same number of games at an average of just under 14.
England have also recalled Craig Overton after two years. In his last Test match, during the 2019 Ashes, he had picked up the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Tim Paine in the first innings.
Familiar faces like Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, and Chris Woakes have been left out. ‘They are rested after completing a quarantine period following the cancellation of the Indian Premier League earlier this month. They will spend some time resting before joining up with their respective counties in due course,’ England Cricket Board (ECB) said in a media release.
Meanwhile, Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes will remain on the sidelines after sustaining their injuries. While there’s no update on Archer’s right elbow injury yet, Stokes may be back for the Vitality Blast Competition for Durham, starting next month.
England Squad for New Zealand Tests: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, James Bracey, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Dom Sibley, Olly Stone, Mark Wood.