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Jamie Smith Excluded As England Announce Squad For New Zealand Tests

ENG have named their squad for NZ Tests [Source: @englandcricket/X]ENG have named their squad for NZ Tests [Source: @englandcricket/X]

In a significant development, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a formidable 16-member squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Led by Ben Stokes, England will tour New Zealand to face the Blackcaps in three Test matches in November-December. 

England have only one change to their squad against Pakistan, with Jacob Bethell replacing Jamie Smith in the team. Notably, Smith has been granted a paternity leave for the birth of his first child. 

In his absence, Jordan Cox will be England's wicketkeeper in the New Zealand Tests. Cox, along with Jacob Bethell and Rehan Ahmed, will join the rest of the Test players following the upcoming series against West Indies. 

Crawley, Duckett, , Brook, Root And Atkinson: England's Core Group For NZ Tests

As expected, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett have been picked as openers, while Joe Root and Harry Brook are all set to spearhead the English middle order. Skipper Stokes will also play a key role for the visiting side, with fast bowling sensation Gus Atkinson leading the bowling attack along with the experienced Chris Woakes, Matthew Potts and Olly Stone. 

England's Squad For New Zealand Tests

Ben Stokes (Captain), Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Jordan Cox (Essex), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Jack Leach (Somerset), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

England’s Tour of New Zealand Schedule (All times are NZST)

  • Two-day warm-up: New Zealand Cricket XI v England XI, 23-24 November 2024, Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown (11.00am)
  • 1st Test: New Zealand v England, 28 November-2 December 2024, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (11.00am start)
  • 2nd Test: New Zealand v England, 6-10 December 2024, Basin Reserve, Wellington (11.00am start)
  • 3rd Test: New Zealand v England, 14-18 December 2024, Seddon Park, Hamilton (11.00am start)