Zak Crawley was unsurprised when England’s director of cricket, Rob Key, called to inform him he had been dropped from the Test squad after a dismal Ashes series and a County Championship average of 27.30. Key insisted the 28-year-old’s international career is not over, saying: “He can go back out of the spotlight and try to develop his game. Hopefully it’ll be the making of him.”
England have named a 15-man squad for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on 4 June, with Durham’s Emilio Gay, 26, set to open after an impressive county season averaging 93 with three centuries. Uncapped fast bowler Sonny Baker and wicketkeeper-batter James Rew also earned call-ups, while Ollie Pope lost his place to Jacob Bethell.
Ollie Robinson receives a recall, having fallen out with the leadership during the 2024 tour of India due to fitness issues and a controversial podcast appearance. Now 32, Robinson has taken 17 wickets at 26.17 for Sussex this season and scored a century. Key said: “When he’s fit and bowling at his best, he is one of the best bowlers in the world.”
Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir retains support despite being sidelined during the Ashes, and will compete with Rehan Ahmed. With Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, and Jofra Archer unavailable, the pace attack includes Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Robinson, Baker, and Matt Fisher. Captain Ben Stokes may open the bowling after doing so for Durham.
