England have dropped Jack Crowley, recalled Ollie Robinson and named three uncapped players in a refreshed squad for the New Zealand Test. cricket news

Jack Crawley has been left out and Ollie Robinson has been called up in a new-look England squad that will feature three uncapped players for next month’s first Test against New Zealand.

Preparing to return to Test action for the first time since a disappointing 4-1 loss to Australia in the Ashes, England managing director Rob Key described the changes to the 15-man squad as “a really exciting mix of proven international quality, strong county form and players with huge potential”.

Crawley, who batted with Kent in the County Championship, is a big post-Ashes name but returns for pacer Robinson for the first time since February 2024.

Durham top order batter Emilio GayWho starred in the County Championship, Hampshire Fast Bowler Sonny Baker and wicketkeeper-batsman of Somerset James Rew Included in the Test squad for the first time.

Apart from Robinson, Rehan Ahmed and Matthew Fisher are returning to the Test team.

Jofra Archer is unavailable for the first Test due to playing commitments in the Indian Premier League.

England squad for first test against New Zealand

Ben Stokes (Durham) – Captain
Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
Sonny Baker (Hampshire)
Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire)
Jacob Bethel (Warwickshire)
Harry Brooke (Yorkshire)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Matthew Fisher (Surrey)
Emilio Gay (Durham)
James Rew (Somerset)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Jamie Smith (Surrey)
Josh Tong (Nottinghamshire)

Key, England Men’s Managing Director, said: “We have selected a squad that we believe has a really exciting mix of players with proven international quality, strong county form and huge potential to develop at Test level.

“Emilio, James and Sonny have all earned their opportunities with consistent performances and impressed us not only with their talent but the way they carried their cricket in high pressure situations.

“It’s also great to welcome players like Rehan, Matt and Ollie, who all bring different qualities and experience to the group. The competition for places remains incredibly strong and that’s exactly where we want to be as a Test team.

“Jofra Archer is unavailable for the first Test. He continues to play in the IPL and should be developed for red-ball cricket after a long six-month journey.”

The squad will report for a training camp in Loughborough from May 24.

Meanwhile, England also confirmed the appointment of former Australian international Marcus North as the new national selector.

More to follow…

England vs New Zealand match

• First Test (Thursday June 4-Monday June 8) – Lord’s, London (11am)
• Second Test (Wednesday June 17-Sunday June 21) – Kia Oval, London (11am)
• Third Test (Thursday 25 June-Monday 29 June) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham (11am)

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