England v New Zealand Test Series 2026

[Arthur Crabtree]

Gay played for Italy last year.

Can't be a thing anymore.

[Durhamfootman]

not a thing, unless he suddenly wanted to play for Italy again

tbh, it shouldn't be a thing, imo, because ex England/Aus/SA etc players would only help associate development.... as long as they don't keep shifting between the two, taking the ssip

[Arthur Crabtree]

England play on different pitches to county ones, pitches that might suit Bashir more, so I imagine he's ahead of Rehan who is sitting on his @rse in India

The Bashir/Rehan/neither final selection is one of the more interesting and unpredictable features. My guess is if the conditions are better for pace we'll get Rehan, but if the pitch looks like taking spin they'll go for Bashir.

Which wouldn't really be a good scenario for Rehan- if he's going to get picked on unhelpful circumstances. But at least he would be in the side. And they won't pick both.

[meninblue]

England have announced a 15 man squad for the first test

Ben Stokes, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue


Good to see Rehan in even though he hasn't played for ages due to being at the IPL....Suprised to see Baker but he is rapid so the selectors will love him....Fisher done okay but a call up over Cook? Bizarre to me.....have to applaud the selections of Gay and Rew though they are well deserved and a tad suprised to see Robinson already back but can't deny his class

Few new names in the squad, at least new to me.

Sonny Baker
Matthew Fisher
James Rew

Looking forward to see if England test batting lineup and specialist spin bowlers will give a better performance.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Few new names in the squad, at least new to me.
Sonny Baker
Matthew Fisher
James Rew

Not likely any of these will play.

NZ v Ireland starts tomorrow. May as well use this thread for any posts.

Presume it's very hot in Belfast.

[Durhamfootman]

Finger injury to Bethell, might open the door for Rew

[Durhamfootman]

Red Adair strikes early for Ireland in NZ's warm up match, to reduce NZ to 21-2

[Durhamfootman]

NZ have a strong top 6 out, but no Henry or Jamieson amongst the bowlers

[Arthur Crabtree]

Shame NZ have a B pace attack.

I read Ireland have a few players unavailable.

[Durhamfootman]

Shame NZ have a B pace attack.

especially since the bowlers all arrived a few days ahead of the batters so that they could acclimatise

[Durhamfootman]

Red Adair is in again with the wicket of Mitchell, after McCarthy lifted KIng Kane

87-4

[Arthur Crabtree]

Great start for Ireland. Looks a good toss to win.

[andy]

There is a thread for this test match if anyone wants to join in there lol

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bethell going to be fit for first Test.

[Durhamfootman]

well, with all the cricket that he's had since Sydney, expect him plunder hundreds of runs in the test series