Out of WTC final contention, England announce 16-man Test squad for New Zealand tour; 21-year-old all-rounder gets maiden call-up

England Cricket Board (ECB) on November 29 announced 16-man Test squad for the three-Test series against New Zealand starting next month. 21-year-old spin all-rounder Jacob Bethell who made his T20I and ODI debut against Australia in September has received his maiden Test call-up. 

Bethell has played 20 first-class games and scored 738 runs at an average of 25.44 including five half-centuries. The left-arm spinner has seven wickets with red-ball too.

England will miss the services of their star wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith who is on paternity leave. The 24-year-old has already made a mark with 637 runs from nine Tests at an average of 42.46 including a century and four fifties. In his absence, Jordan Cox is set to make his Test debut. Cox has scored 3,194 runs from 53 games at an average of 39.93 including eight centuries and 12 fifties.

Before the Test series begins on November 28 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, England will play a two-day warm-up game against New Zealand Cricket XI at Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown starting November 23.

England’s Test squad against Pakistan

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

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WTC final scenario

Ben Stokes-led England are already out of contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final race. England are sixth on WTC standings with nine wins from 19 Tests and a win percentage of 40.79. The series loss to Pakistan put an end to all the permutations of combinations of England making it to their maiden WTC final. 

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However, New Zealand have revived their chances with a historic first-ever Test series win on Indian soil. The Tom Latham-led side has a lot at stake when they take on England at home. 

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead did not want Kane Williamson risk getting injured before the three-Test series at home. Williamson will not take part in the third and final Test of the series at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai as he will continue his rehabilitation after suffering a groin injury on Sri Lanka tour.