England drop Zak Crawley, recall Ollie Robinson and name three uncapped players in refreshed squad for first New Zealand Test | Cricket News

Zak Crawley has been dropped and Ollie Robinson recalled in a new-look England squad that features three uncapped players for next month’s first Test against New Zealand.

Preparing to return to Test action for the first time since suffering a dismal 4-1 away defeat to Australia in The Ashes, England have rung the changes in a 15-player squad described by managing director Rob Key as a “really exciting blend of proven international quality, strong county form and players with huge potential”.

Crawley, who has struggled with the bat with Kent in the County Championship, is the big-name post-Ashes omission but there is a return for seamer Robinson for the first time since February 2024 against India.

Ollie Pope and Will Jacks also miss out.

Durham top-order batter Emilio Gay, who has been starring in the county game, Hampshire fast bowler Sonny Baker and Somerset wicketkeeper-batter James Rew are included in the Test squad for the first time.

Gay has scored 552 runs at an average of 92 for Durham so far this season, while the 26-year-old has past international experience having represented Italy in three IT20 internationals.

In addition to the 20-time Test-capped Robinson, Rehan Ahmed and Matthew Fisher return to the squad for the Lord’s Test. Shoaib Bashir, meanwhile, keeps his place despite the spin bowler not playing an Ashes Test.

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

England squad for first Test vs New Zealand

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

Key, England men’s managing director, said: “We’ve selected a squad that we believe has a really exciting blend of proven international quality, strong county form and players with huge potential to develop at Test level.

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

“It’s also great to welcome back players like Rehan, Matt and Ollie, who all bring different qualities and experience to the group. 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 it is about building him up for red-ball cricket after a long six months on the road.”

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

Athers: Crawley’s position was ‘untenable’

Sky Sports Cricket’s Michael Atherton:

“England have stuck with Crawley for a long time, he has played 64 Tests now, averaging 31.

“His appearances are high on the list of England batters but his returns don’t put him high up.

“I think his position had become untenable.

“His returns at Test level did not justify his retention, his returns with Kent this season did not justify his selection, and with the story of the early season being that England need to re-engage with county cricket, I don’t think they could select him.

“In Gay, England have gone with the man in form, so it is a pragmatic selection and a change for [the England hierarchy].”

Who will now open the batting at Lord’s?

Sky Sports Cricket’s Nasser Hussain:

“There are new names in the squad but when you get down to the XI, there may only be a change of opening batter with no Crawley.

“I think Durham’s Gay will open, even though Somerset’s Rew could do it.

“You are seeing a side that has been together for quite some time, although with Robinson’s return they are saying no one is done.”

North named new national selector

The ECB, meanwhile, also confirmed the expected appointment of former Australia international Marcus North as England’s new national selector.

North, who has spent the last eight years as director of cricket at Durham, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be appointed England men’s national selector. It is a tremendous honour to be entrusted with a role of such responsibility, and I am excited to contribute to the continued development of the England men’s teams.

“Having spent the past several years working closely within the county game, I have seen first-hand the strength and depth of talent across the domestic system. I’m looking forward to working closely with the counties in identifying, supporting and selecting players who can thrive at international level.”

England vs New Zealand fixtures

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

Watch England’s home international summer live on Sky Sports, starting with a three-Test series against New Zealand from June 4. Not got Sky? Stream cricket contract-free on NOW.