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England's Best XII For New Zealand Test Picked, 2 Debutants Risked

Aakash Saini

England squad named for NZ Test [Source: AFP]England squad named for NZ Test [Source: AFP]

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named a 12-player England squad for the upcoming series-opening first Test against New Zealand. Legendary all-rounder Ben Stokes will continue to lead the side after England’s 1-4 Ashes drubbing in Australia earlier this year.

The ECB also named two potential debutants in the side, and senior fast bowler Ollie Robinson is set to make his return to the team after a gap of over two years.

Ben Stokes to lead Joe Root and co., Robinson returns

Ben Stokes will continue to lead the England national side in the upcoming three-match home Test series against New Zealand. After England’s demoralizing Ashes defeat in Australia earlier this year, the legendary all-rounder was retained as team’s Test captain, contrary to the circulating and unconfirmed reports from a couple of months ago.

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Modern-day behemoth Joe Root will headline England’s batting line-up, which consists of several staunch ‘BazBallers’ in the form of Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith and captain Stokes himself.

Fast bowling all-rounder Gus Atkinson is also included in the team, alongside fellow paceman Josh Tongue, comeback man Ollie Robinson and spin maestro Shoaib Bashir.

England name two debutants to commemorate Test return

The ECB also named two potential debutants in the 12-player squad, in the form of Durham top-order batter Emilio Gay and Hampshire fast bowler Sonny Baker. It is worth noting that both Gay and Baker have previously played a handful of white-ball internationals for the English team.

Emilio Gay, aged 26, has played 73 first class matches in his career, scoring 4,702 runs in the process at an average of nearly 40. The cricketer also strikes at nearly 60, which is slightly compatible with England’s ‘BazBall’ standards.

Sonny Baker, on the other hand, has played 12 first class matches since his debut last year against Australia A in Sydney. The Hampshire speedster and ex-Somerset star has already picked up 41 wickets in his career at an impressive bowling average of 28.24. Here is a look at England’s entire 12-player group for the upcoming first Test against New Zealand.

England 12-player squad for first Test vs New Zealand:

Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk) and Josh Tongue.

England resumes WTC 2025-27 quest after torrid start

The England cricket team has not played a single Test since suffering a demoralizing 1-4 drubbing in Australia back in January this year, thus making their impending series-opener their return to Test cricket after nearly six months.

The Ben Stokes-led side is currently placed number seven on the WTC 2025-27 standings with just three wins and six defeats from 10 matches.

England’s upcoming first Test against New Zealand marks a must-win one for the hosts, and will be played between June 4 and June 8 at the iconic Lord’s in London.

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