England have pared their group for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s to 12, handing uncapped pair Emilio Gay and Sonny Baker a chance of debut and recalling seamer Ollie Robinson for what would be his first appearance in more than two years.
The final XI will not be confirmed until Thursday morning, but three players from the original 15 have already been released: Somerset wicketkeeper-batter James Rew, leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed and Yorkshire quick Matt Fisher. All three remain on standby.
Head coach Brendon McCullum is keeping one eye on a mixed forecast before settling on his attack. “We’ll just work out whether we want the extra air speed, if all of a sudden it becomes 35 degrees and flattens out. Or we stick to what’s tried and tested at Lord’s and remain with more of the type of bowlers that’ll extract some movement with some overhead conditions,” he said after training on Tuesday.
Reading between the lines, that final bowling spot appears a straight shoot-out between Gus Atkinson’s pace and Baker’s skiddy variation. Robinson, fit again after a long run of back niggles, is expected to share new-ball duties with Josh Tongue.
McCullum, unsurprisingly, sounded relaxed. “We’re very comfortable with the group that we’ve got,” he noted. “We’re confident in what we’re going to pick. That doesn’t guarantee us anything, but it gives us what we think will allow us the best opportunity against New Zealand at Lord’s. We want to stick to what we think is going to be required in these conditions against this opposition.”
Left-hander Gay, who has piled on Championship runs for Northamptonshire this spring, is set to partner Ben Duckett at the top of the order, allowing Harry Brook to remain in the middle. Joe Root and captain Ben Stokes complete the engine room, with Jamie Smith retaining the gloves ahead of Jonny Bairstow, who was left out of the broader squad last month.
Spin responsibility returns to Shoaib Bashir, omitted for the Ashes but trusted again on a surface that can reward fingertip control later in the match. “Bash, he has the ability to probably play more of a holding role in the first couple days here at Lord’s,” McCullum explained. “Then as the game deepens, and if spin becomes more prevalent, then he can go more into an attacking role.”
Key selection talking points
• Robinson’s comeback: first Test since March 2024.
• Two debutants possible: Gay certain, Baker competing with Atkinson.
• Weather watch: overhead conditions could tilt balance towards swing over pace.
• Bashir back: off-spinner tasked with control before attacking later.
England XII for the first Test v New Zealand
Ben Stokes (capt), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue.
Play begins on Thursday morning, weather permitting, with England aiming to extend their unbeaten home run under Stokes and McCullum while New Zealand look for a first Lord’s victory since 1999.
