England Announce Playing XI For 1st Test Against New Zealand; Matthew Potts To Make Debut

Suresh

3 years ago

England cricket team have announced their playing XI for the 1st Test against New Zealand, starting June 2 at the historic Lord’s Stadium. A new era beckons for England cricket under captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.

Durham seamer Matthew Potts will make his England debut after being picked ahead of Craig Overton. The 23-year-old will join the two most prolific wicket-takers in English history, James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Anderson and Broad were dropped for the recent tour of the West Indies but return as England start a new journey. England are without a host of pace bowlers due to injury, with Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Olly Stone, Saqib Mahmood and Matt Fisher among those sidelined.

Two Kings in their castle 🏰@StuartBroad8 | @jimmy9 👑@HomeOfCricket 🏏 pic.twitter.com/ZeG8SxuiHK

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 31, 2022

Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow has been picked to bat at No.5 which means Harry Brook will have to wait for his chance. Brook has scored 840 runs at an average of 140 but has failed to make the cut.

Alex Lees and Zak Crawley opening, Ollie Pope in an unfamiliar role at No. 3, and a middle-order engine room of Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Stokes. Ben Foakes will play his first home Test, keeping wicket and batting at No. 7.

England playing XI: Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonathan Bairstow, Ben Stokes (captain), Ben Foakes (Wicketkeeper), Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson (Lancashire)

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