England v New Zealand Test Series 2026

[Arthur Crabtree]

So they have him, Fisher, Archer and Baker to fill 1-3 spots.

[sussexpob]

Normally, I would agree with you, were it not for the fact that Stokesy was part of the curfew decision making process, it might not have been his idea, it might have been his idea, but either way he signed it off and then ignored it

It's easy to forget that only a matter of 1 test previous to this one just passed, the team management were blaming test losses on the fact that they actually did some net sessions before a game and had overprepared, and were quite insistent that the optimal modal for dealing with the grind of a hard tour was playing golf, beach football and letting their hair down. They even went as far as making arrogant, mocking retorts to people criticising this by saying their detractors didn't know jot about the demands of modern sport, and were wrong. Quite how the management expected to fill the players heads with such nonsense, and then expect them to suddenly start believing the opposite after 4 years instantly, is anyone's guess. People don't work like that. How can you expect to be taken seriously by the players changing from one extreme to the other?

And that's before we talk of proportionality and fairness. Bethell's accomplishments at every level of the game are nothing to Stokes; why then was Bethell not punished at all for drinking at 3am the day before a game, and Stokes banned for drinking 10 days before one? Why was Brook not banned or stripped of his senior role for dong the same, with the added caveat of trying to knock out a member of the public? Bethell ends up being fast-tracked into the side based on nothing, gets to bugger off to play IPL rather than prepare to play for England, but that's ok?

Jofra Archer will walk back into this team at some point in this series.... he literally rather play IPL than play for England, rather go on holiday to Barbados than play for England.... buts thats ok to? Is that all part of the acceptable side of being an England player? Celebrating a win and not abiding to bedtimes and its all over, but not bothering to turn up in the first place because playing for England isn't in your top 3 prioritises is, well , perfectly fine?

[sussexpob]

I think its well noted that I believe Ben Stokes is somewhat over-rated by the English cricket fraternity, but that doesn't mean I think hes not a very good player or doesn't deserve a lot of respect. England have bent over backwards to protect the financial, personal and playing interests of players that have not got anywhere near to Stokes' level of historical contributions to the English game..... why they would choose to draw the line with him, and in such a brutal way, is simply not the way you treat a 35 year old thats given his heart and soul to the English team for years. And my god he could have become a very rich man ditching all this and playing slap bang stuff instead of prioritising test cricket for England over anything else.

[alfie]

B.oody bad timing for Robinson copping an injury just after he's had such an excellent return to the side ! Hope he is OK otherwise 3/4 of the good and successful pace attack from the First Test will be out already ! And replaced by some inexperienced or under-prepared alternates.

Injuries and England pace bowlers

And not helped by a badly timed excessive "discipline" action at the behest of the wretched media...

[bigfluffylemon]

Robinson

[Durhamfootman]

When I saw Crocombe had been called up I presumed it was for Atkinson

Robinson sore knee?

precautionary scan?

He'll be alright, surely?

[andy]

Apparently he's out of this test but should be back for the third....but not good news for him at all!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Ollie Robinson apparently now a doubt for the 2nd test. Crocombe pulled out the Sussex game and called up as cover.... bizarre selection.

Potts must be feeling very overlooked. And how random does Sam Cook's cap look now.

[Arthur Crabtree]

So, this seems to be what's left.

Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordon Cox. Henry Crocombe, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.

[alfie]

Finding it hard to believe they would go for a seventh batsman rather than playing Rehan , given they are now down to four proper bowlers , two of whom are brand new or virtually so and one of the others hasn't played red ball for months ? Especially if the pitch is expected to be more batsman friendly. Clearly can't keep Bashir as a tail headed by Archer at 8 bad enough !

Root will have enough on his hands without bowling extensively and Bethell has hardly been bowling due to his injury. Might have to resort to Harry Brook's deadly slow mediums

[Arthur Crabtree]

Crocombe quite experienced for a new England pick with 48 fc games, but only 106 wickets at 36, and one 5-fer. No batting to contribute.

[andy]

Rehan will surely bat 7....with archer,.baker, tongue, fisher making up the seam attack?

[Arthur Crabtree]

You'd think Fisher and Baker would play, having been already selected before the injuries and suspensions. And Archer looks most likely of the others.

Maybe time to give Stokes and Atkinson suspended sentences...

[bigfluffylemon]

For some reason New Zealand have called up Will Young (test av 32, 0 hundreds in 40 innings) rather than play Nicholls (test av 39, 10 hundreds in 90 innings) as a replacement for Kane.

Nicholls' test form did fall off a bit in 22-23, but he's been in good form in FC recently.

[andy]

They do like young never been convinced by Nicholls....are there no upcand coming young batsmen they can choose from?