England announce 12-man squad for first Test vs New Zealand, Shoaib Bashir and Ollie Robinson recalled

England and New Zealand will face each other in a three-match Test series, starting on Thursday, June 4. The highly-anticipated first Test is set to be held at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. On Tuesday, June 2, the Three Lions named an interesting 12-member squad for the series opener at the Home of Cricket.

England have recalled off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and fast bowler Ollie Robinson to the Test setup. The former has taken 68 wickets in 19 Tests at an average of 39. His last international appearance was also at Lord’s against India in July 2025. He took the final wicket in that thrilling Test match and sealed victory for the Ben Stokes-led side, despite having sustained a broken finger. Bashir recovered in time for the Ashes, but he was ignored for all five matches.

While Bashir wasn’t being able to deliver his A-game in tour matches and, in the nets, England stated that the conditions weren’t conducive for spinners and that is why the 22-year-old didn’t get much game time.

“We firmly believe in Bash as an international cricketer,” England head coach Brendon McCullum told BBC Sport.
 
“When I look back to why he wasn’t required in Australia, it wasn’t to do with how the ball was coming out of his hand per se, we just felt the conditions were not conducive to spin bowling – as did Australia. We remain hugely confident and optimistic about Bash as a cricketer and the role he can play for us,” he added.

On the other hand, Robinson, who has 76 scalps in 20 Tests at 22.92, hasn’t played for England since February 2024. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been snubbed.

Uncapped seamer Sonny Baker has been included in the squad and will probably be competing with Gus Atkinson for a spot in the playing XI. Top-order batter Emilio Gay seems set to make his debut, with opener Zak Crawley being dropped due to a dismal campaign against Australia.

England 12-man squad for first Test against New Zealand: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes (captain), Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Ollie Robinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir.

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