England have named three uncapped players in their 15-member squad for the opening Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, beginning on 4 June.
Top-order batter Emilio Gay, fast bowler Sonny Baker and wicketkeeper-batter James Rew have all received maiden Test call-ups following impressive performances in domestic cricket and for the England Lions setup.
England squad for first Test against New Zealand: Ben Stokes (captain), 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, Josh Tongue.
Ben Stokes will return and captain the squad, which also includes regulars Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue.
Rehan Ahmed, Matthew Fisher and Ollie Robinson, who last played a Test in February 2024, return to the squad, with Ahmed set for a potential first home Test appearance after previously featuring only in overseas matches so far.
Veteran spinner Liam Dawson, who had represented England in four Tests has called time on his First-Class career. The spinner made immediate impression on debut in India with an unbeaten 66 and enjoyed a memorable return to the side in 2025, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal with just his seventh delivery back in Test cricket in Manchester.
England have also confirmed the appointment of Australian Marcus North as England Men’s National Selector. The former Australian batter joins from Durham, where he served as Director of Cricket, and will work across England Men’s senior team planning.
The three-match Test series will be a part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, where England are currently placed eighth in the standings after Bangladesh stunned Pakistan in their first Test at Mirpur.
Fixtures:
1st Test – 4th June to 8th June, Lord’s
2nd Test – 17th to 21st June, The Oval
3rd Test – 25th to 29th June, Nottingham