Gay, Rew, Robinson named for England's first Test against New Zealand

England confirm North as new selector, announce 15-man squad with seven changes from Ashes

Andrew Miller

Published: May 13, 2026, 10:59 AM (1 hr ago)

James Rew and Emilio Gay will compete for Zak Crawley's former berth at the top of the order, while Sussex's Ollie Robinson is back in the England set-up for the first time in more than two years, as the selectors announced an extended 15-man squad for next month's first Test against New Zealand at Lord's.

The squad is the first to have the involvement of Marcus North, the former Durham director of cricket who has been confirmed as England's new national selector, and is much changed from the group that lost the Ashes 4-1 in Australia in January.

Seven of the winter's touring party are missing from the squad, including Jofra Archer, who was unavailable for selection, while there are six new or recalled faces. These include Leicestershire's legspinner Rehan Ahmed, who could be in line for a home debut after five previous caps in Pakistan and India, and two other fast-bowlers in the uncapped Sonny Baker and Matt Fisher, whose one Test to date came in the Caribbean in March 2022.

The most notable absentee is Crawley, who had been one of the central characters of the so-called Bazball era. His consistent selection belied a Test average of 31.18 but reflected the management's belief that he had the potential to raise his game against the best opponents. However, after averaging 27.30 in the Ashes, he has struggled for form for Kent this summer, making a top score of 44 in ten innings.

In his place, England have rewarded Durham's Gay, who has reeled off 552 runs at 92.00 so far this summer, including three centuries. He also made four centuries in Division One last summer, prior to Durham's relegation, and showed form for England Lions in the winter too, with half-centuries at Lilac Hill and Canberra.

Somerset's Rew is also named in the Test squad for the first time, having himself started the season strongly in Division One with a century and three fifties, until a tailing-off of form with four single-figure scores in the past fortnight. Rew also provides wicketkeeping cover for Jamie Smith, whose role in the Ashes came under scrutiny but whose form for Surrey this summer includes two big hundreds in their opening matches.

Jacob Bethell is England's incumbent No. 3, following his stirring century in the Sydney Test in January. He has been named in the squad despite limited time in the middle with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in this season's IPL, while the other notable absentee from England's batting ranks is Ollie Pope, whose form collapsed in Australia and who has been cut from the squad having lost his place to Bethell for the final two matches of that campaign.

Mark Wood is also unavailable after suffering another setback during the Ashes, as is Brydon Carse, who has not featured yet this season after a hand injury cut short his IPL stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad. That means that England's seam attack is likely to be led by Gus Atkinson and the recalled Robinson, alongside Josh Tongue, who emerged as one of England's few Ashes success stories after claiming 18 wickets in the final three Tests.

Robinson's return had been telegraphed from the start of the summer, when he confirmed he had received a message from Brendon McCullum, England's head coach, that his name was very much in the frame. With 76 Test wickets at 22.92 to date, he remains one of England's most effective seamers when on song, but England tired of his fitness struggles particularly on the tour of India in early 2024. However, he appears to have found a renewed motivation since taking over as Sussex captain, and confirmed his readiness with six wickets in his team's win over Leicestershire this week.

Ben Stokes, England's captain, could be another new-ball option after his energetic return to competitive action for Durham against Worcestershire last week. Baker, who endured a bruising introduction to international cricket in the white-ball set-up last summer, has found his rhythm in red-ball cricket for Hampshire, including a five-wicket haul against Somerset last month.

England's spin option will be a shoot-out between Rehan, who is currently at the IPL, having replaced Ben Duckett at Delhi Capitals, and Shoaib Bashir, the forgotten man of England's Ashes campaign. Bashir was overlooked for all five Tests in favour of Surrey's Will Jacks, who has not been included in this squad, but has been in solid form for Derbyshire in this season's Championship, claiming 14 wickets at 36.57, including five in the match in last week's innings win over Northamptonshire.

Rob Key, England Men's director of cricket, said: "We 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," Key confirmed. "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 first Test gets underway at Lord's on June 4, with the subsequent Test taking place at the Kia Oval, beginning June 17, and Trent Bridge from June 25.

England Test squad: Ben Stokes (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue

Andrew Miller is UK editor of ESPNcricinfo. @miller_cricket

Click here to read article