Uncapped duo in England’s XII for first New Zealand Test

England have named uncapped Emilio Gay and Sonny Baker in their 12-member squad for the first Test against New Zealand starting June 3. 

The duo, who feature for Durham and Hampshire in the County Championship, are in contention, while pacer Ollie Robinson is also back in the midst as England return to action in the ICC World Test Championship cycle after a disastrous 4-1 loss at the hands of Australia earlier this year.

England squad: Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue

Robinson, who has 76 wickets from 20 Tests for England, last featured in a Test for England back in 2024 during the five-Test series against India. 

Accompanying him in the bowling department are Baker, Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson and Shoaib Bashir. 

England will also be empowered by the timely return of captain Ben Stokes, who had a bout with a facial injury ahead of the home summer and is also a crucial member of that bowling attack. 

Meanwhile, among the batters, Joe Root and Harry Brook lead the way alongside the likes of Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith. 

England will play the first of three Tests starting June 6 at Lord's, following which the caravan will move to The Oval and Nottingham.

The Ben Stoes-led team currently sits seventh in the WTC Standings after 10 matches in the ongoing cycle.

New Zealand on the other hand, arrive into the series as the second-ranked team, with two wins from their three outings so far. 

Series schedule:

First Test - June 4-8, Lord's 

Second Test - June 17-21, The Oval

Third Test -  June 25-29, Nottingham