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Delhi: England has announced its 12-member squad for the first Test match (ENG vs NZ) of the three-match series against New Zealand starting from Thursday, June 4. The selectors have made many important changes in the team for this Test to be held at Lord’s. Opener Zak Crawley, who is struggling with poor form, has been dropped, while 23-year-old Emilio Gay has got a chance in the Test team for the first time. Apart from this, spinner Shoaib Bashir has also returned to the team.

Jack Crowley was blamed for his bad form.

Jack Crowley has been dropped from the team after his disappointing performance in the recently concluded Ashes series. In his place, young batsman Emilio Gay can debut in the Lord’s Test. At the same time, Jacob Bethel, who has recovered from a finger injury, will be seen batting at number 3.

Shoaib Bashir’s return

Young spinner Shoaib Bashir has been re-inducted into the England team. He did not get a chance to play a single match during the Ashes series, but head coach Brendon McCullum has given him a place in the team again against New Zealand. Considering the conditions at Lord’s, Bashir can play the role of England’s main spinner.

Joffra Archer will not play the first test

England will have to take the field without star fast bowler Jofra Archer in the first test. He recently returned to England after participating in IPL 2026. ECB may have given him rest, because Archer was a part of IPL for almost two months. In his absence, experienced Ollie Robinson can be seen returning to the Test team after two years.

Apart from this, young sensation Sunny Baker has also been included in the fast bowling department. Everyone’s eyes will be on Baker, who bowls at a speed of more than 145 km per hour.

Ben Stokes changed the batting order

English team captain Ben Stokes has decided to change his batting order. Now he will bat at number 7 instead of number 6, while wicketkeeper batsman Jamie Smith has been moved up one place and given the responsibility of number 6. Stokes’ bat did not perform as expected in the Ashes series. He scored runs at an average of only 18. On the other hand, Jamie Smith has consistently batted effectively in the middle order.

Coach Brendon McCullum believes that while batting at number 7, Stokes will be able to play his role more effectively with the lower order batsmen.

England’s 12-man squad for the first Test against New Zealand:

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