England announce squad for New Zealand Tests

All-rounder Jacob Bethell has earned a maiden call-up to the senior side. The 21-year-old southpaw made his white-ball debut against Australia earlier this year in both ODIs as well as T20Is.

Bethell, alongside Rehan Ahmed and Jordan Cox will join the Test side, following their participation in the ODI & T20I series against the West Indies.

Jordan Cox will take on the responsibility with the gloves in the tour, as wicket-keeper batter Jamie Smith misses out, anticipating the birth of his first child.

England are on the sixth position in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 table and while they don't have a chance of finishing in the top two, they can prove to be threat to New Zealand (No.4), who are in running for a spot in the Final next year.

ALSO READ: World Test Championship - State of Play ahead of 2025 final

England Test Squad: Ben Stokes (c), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox (WK), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes

England tour of New Zealand Fixtures:

1st Test: New Zealand v England, 28 November-2 December 2024, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
2nd Test: New Zealand v England, 6-10 December 2024, Basin Reserve, Wellington
3rd Test: New Zealand v England, 14-18 December 2024, Seddon Park, Hamilton