England have dropped opener Zak Crawley for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's next month, following a disappointing Ashes campaign in Australia. The Kent batsman, who has struggled in the County Championship this season, is one of several players to pay the price for the 4-1 series defeat.
Ollie Pope, Will Jacks, and Matthew Potts have also been omitted from the squad for the Test starting on 4 June. Seven players from the Ashes tour are missing, with Brydon Carse and Mark Wood injured, and Jofra Archer rested ahead of the second Test.
Uncapped trio Emilio Gay, Sonny Baker, and James Rew receive maiden call-ups. Gay, a left-handed opener from Durham, is expected to replace Crawley at the top of the order after averaging 92 in the Championship this season, with three centuries. Baker, a Hampshire fast bowler, has taken 14 wickets at 26 in first-class cricket this year, while Somerset's Rew provides batting cover.
Seamer Ollie Robinson returns to the Test side for the first time since February 2024, having impressed for Sussex with 17 wickets at 26 this season. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed also earns a recall, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir is included but likely behind Ahmed in the pecking order.
The squad reflects a desire to refresh the team after the Ashes disappointment, though head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key retain their positions. Crawley, who averaged 27 in Australia, may feel unfortunate to be the scapegoat for the team's struggles.
