The English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has added uncapped Adam Lyth and Mark Wood, while retaining the core group of players, who featured in the Test series against the West Indies, for the 1st Test against the New Zealand, starting May 21 at the Lord’s.
Lyth will be making his Test debut in the opening game of the two-match Test series, when he will open batting with skipper Alastair Cook. The Yorkshire opener was also part of the Windies series, but didn’t feature any of the three games.
Meanwhile, pacer Mark Wood is the only other uncapped player in the 12-member England Test squad for the series. Wood made his ODI debut against Ireland in a one-dayer last week.
“Adam Lyth has waited patiently for an opportunity with England having performed consistently for Yorkshire and England Lions in the last year,” National selector, James Whitaker, said.
“He fully deserves his chance to cement a place in the side at the top of the order,” he added. “Mark Wood has also impressed and his pace and style of bowling ensure the coach and captain have options in the bowling attack.”
“There were some positive signs during the recent Test tour and it is key that this group of players learns from the instances when the opposition was put under pressure and we were in a position to press for victory but couldn’t quite manage it.
“New Zealand are a very talented side and I expect a very competitive series between the two teams to start what will be an incredibly exciting summer of cricket. Good luck to Alastair, Paul Farbrace and the rest of the squad,” he concluded.
England Test squad: Alastair Cook (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Chris Jordan, Adam Lyth, Joe Root, Ben Stokes & Mark Wood.
