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England playing XI for 1st T20I - (Source : AFP)
On Thursday, October 16, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the playing XI for the first T20I against New Zealand at Hagley Oval on Saturday. Notably, the Three Lions have dropped their starting XI two days before the match as the much-awaited clash kicks off at 11:45 am IST on October 18.
Talking about the playing XI, Harry Brook will lead the side, while England have opted for two spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson. Meanwhile, Luke Wood, Brydon Carse, and Sam Curran will lead the pace attack. Here is the playing XI for the first T20I.
England's playing XI for 1st T20I vs NZ
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Jordan Cox, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood
Key absentees for the 1st T20I
Amid the presence of two spinners, Rehan Ahmed misses out alongside Sonny Baker, Jamie Overton, and Zak Crawley. Shedding light on those who misses out, Sonny Baker had a for
Zak Crawley's wait continues amid Buttler-Salt's heroics
Zak Crawley, who continues to be a key opener for England in Test cricket, has to wait for his game time in the shortest format of the game as Jos Buttler and Phil Salt have formed a formidable duo. In 2025, Salt scored 346 runs in nine innings, averaging a whopping 43, while Buttler scored 447 runs in 12 innings, averaging 37.25.
Sam Curran preferred ahead of Jamie Overton
Thus, it is unlikely for Crawley to get a chance to break into the playing XI and is facing a similar situation to Jamie Overton, who is left behind in the pecking order to Sam Curran.
England have shown trust in the left-arm seamer, who will don the all-rounder duties for the Three Lions in the upcoming tour to New Zealand.
