England Men’s Head Coach Chris Silverwood has picked the 15-player squad for the LV= Insurance Test Series against New Zealand. The series will consist of two matches and will commence at Lord’s on Wednesday 2 June 2021.

Wicketkeeper-batsman James Bracey and  seamer Ollie Robinson have been picked in the Test squad for the first time. The two have been in great form during the early legs of the LV= Insurance County Championship. 

All rounder Craig Overton, who last played a test match for England in September 2019 against Australia at Emirates Old Trafford, has also been recalled.

England International stars like Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes have been rested after finishing a quarantine period after the cancellation of the IPL earlier this month. 

All-rounder Ben Stokes and seamer Jofra Archer were not considered for selection due to their injuries.

England Men’s Head Coach, Chris Silverwood, said: “The summer of Test cricket will be fascinating. Playing the top two teams in the world, in New Zealand and India, is perfect preparation for us as we continue to improve and progress towards an Ashes series in Australia at the back end of the year."

“James Bracey and Ollie Robinson deserve their call ups to the Test squad. They have been consistent performers in the County Championship this season and over the past 18 months, have excelled for the Lions on the field and in the various camps they have been involved in."

With respect to Archer and Stokes, Silverwood added: “Jofra Archer is to see a consultant this week to understand the severity of his right elbow injury. He struggled in Sussex’s Championship fixture last week and he wasn’t able to bowl on the final two days of the match. We need to get this resolved once and for all to give him the best chance of being fully fit as we build up to an intense winter, which will include a T20 World Cup and the Ashes. We need him firing in all formats of the game."

“Ben Stokes is making excellent progress following his fractured left index finger sustained last month in the Indian Premier League. If he continues to improve without any impact on his rehabilitation, we could see him return next month for Durham in the Vitality Blast competition. We will assess him again towards the end of this month."

England Men’s Test Squad

Joe Root (Captain), James Anderson , James Bracey , Stuart Broad, Rory Burns Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes , Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Dom Sibley , Olly Stone , Mark Wood 

LV= Insurance Test Series

1st Test: England v New Zealand, 2-6 June 2021, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London

2nd Test: England v New Zealand, 10-14 June 2021, Edgbaston, Birmingham