Emilio Gay, Sonny Baker and James Rew earn maiden call-ups as Ben Stokes returns to lead 15-man squad for World Test Championship series.
England cricket team have named three uncapped players in their 15-man squad for the opening Test against New Zealand cricket team at Lord’s, starting June 4, as captain Ben Stokes returns to lead the side.
Top-order batter Emilio Gay, fast bowler Sonny Baker and wicketkeeper-batter James Rew have all received maiden Test call-ups following strong performances in domestic cricket and for the England Lions.
The squad also features a mix of established internationals and returning players, including Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue.
Rehan Ahmed, Matthew Fisher and Ollie Robinson return to the Test setup after extended absences, with Ahmed in line for his first home Test appearance after previously featuring only overseas.
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.
Veteran spinner Liam Dawson has announced his retirement from first-class cricket. Dawson, who played four Tests for England, was noted for a memorable debut in India where he scored an unbeaten 66 and later made a brief return in 2025, taking the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal early in his comeback spell in Manchester.
England have also appointed former Australia batter Marcus North as their new men’s national selector. North joins from Durham, where he served as Director of Cricket.
The three-match series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle, with England currently placed eighth in the standings.
Fixtures:
• 1st Test: June 4–8, Lord’s
• 2nd Test: June 17–21, The Oval
• 3rd Test: June 25–29, Trent Bridge