England has announced a 12-man squad for the first Test match against New Zealand, starting on Thursday at Lord’s, in which uncapped batsman Emilio Gay and fast bowler Sonny Baker have been included.
The England Cricket Board said, ‘Durham’s top-order batsman Emilio Gay and Hampshire’s fast bowler Sonny Baker, who have not yet received a (Test) cap, have been included in the squad. Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson is returning to the England Test team for the first time since February 2024.
The new players included in the team are Durham’s top-order batsman Gay and Hampshire’s fast bowler Baker, while Sussex’s Ollie Robinson is returning to the Test team for the first time since February 2024.
Archer will not play in the first match against New Zealand, who are currently on a break after playing for six months continuously. Archer is currently in Barbados and will reach England only after the first Test match. He may be available for the second match of the series starting from June 17.
England head coach Brendon McCullum said that a cautious approach will be adopted in the case of this fast bowler. McCullum told ‘BBC Sport’, ‘We need to assess Joffra. He is taking some rest at this time. We have seen in the past that we can leave Jofra on his own, let him work on his game, and follow a set plan. He returns to the team only after following that plan completely. When we meet him, only then will we decide what his condition is and whether he is available for the second Test. If not, we will think about the third test.
Archer spent 6 months with Rajasthan Royals’ IPL campaign. Archer is one of many players to be affected by the tournament in terms of his preparations for the Test summer. Despite Archer’s absence, Jacob Bethel was sidelined from the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to a finger injury. Bethel had withdrawn from the Royal Challengers Bangalore team ahead of the 2026 season due to his finger injury. He is expected to play at Lord’s.
Braydon Carse suffered a wrist fracture during the IPL. He took part in the Loughborough training camp with England, but will not be able to play in the New Zealand series.
The team has been reduced from 15 members to 12 for the first match of the series against New Zealand. England spinner Shoaib Bashir has returned to the team after being out of the Ashes series. Robinson will provide additional experience to the fast bowling attack along with Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue.
England’s 12-man squad for the first Test: Ben Stokes (captain), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethel, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue.