England Test squad announced for New Zealand tour

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the 16-member men’s Test squad for next month’s New Zealand tour. 

After the West Indies tour, where England will play a three-match ODI and five-match T20I series against the hosts, England will play a three-match Test series against the hosts New Zealand. It will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. So, it will be an important series for both teams.

The Test series in New Zealand will begin on November 28 at Christchurch. Wellington and Hamilton will host the next two Tests, starting on December 6 and 14, respectively. 

Jacob Bethell earns Test call-up

The 21-year-old Jacob Bethell has earned the Test call-up as he is replacing Jamie Smith, who is unavailable for the selection due to paternity leave. Bethell recently made his ODI and T20I debuts at home during Australia tour of England last September. 

During the Cardiff T20I against Australia, Bethell played a crucial 44 off just 24 balls, which helped the hosts to successfully reach the 194-run target.

In his first two ODIs, Bethell produced some useful all-round performances. In the five ODIs, he scored 85 runs and took four wickets.    

Bethell has played 20 first-class matches

However, talking about his Test cricket call-up, the youngster Bethell has played 20 first-class matches, where the left-handed batter has scored 738 runs with an average of 25.44. He has scored five half-centuries and waiting for his maiden first-class hundred. As a left-arm spinner, he has taken seven first-class wickets. 

England Test squad for New Zealand tour

Ben Stokes (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes