Cricket News: Rehan Ahmed, a promising young player, has been left out of England’s Test squad for the upcoming trip of New Zealand, while Stuart Broad is returning.
Due to the birth of his first child, Broad, 36, missed the record-breaking victory in Pakistan. However, he is one of 15 players in the team for the two-match tour in New Zealand, along with fellow seamers Olly Stone and Matthew Potts.
Stone, who last played a Test in early 2021, may also get a chance in more seamer-friendly conditions, while Potts, who dazzled in England’s summer, will have a point to prove after being ignored in Pakistan.
Following two warm-up games, England will play New Zealand in a day-night Test at Mount Maunganui from February 16 through 20, followed by a second Test from February 24 through 28 in Wellington.
However, Mark Wood and Ahmed, two bowlers who were stars over the winter, were rested from the team.
Ahmed, the third Test match in Karachi’s history and England’s youngest wicket-taker, is out due to his “management for the winter,” according to the ECB. The 18-year-old leg-spinner will compete in the UAE T20 League in January and, if chosen, will travel to Bangladesh in March to play white-ball cricket.
In the meantime, Wood will not play either international or club cricket in January in order to “completely recover following a busy winter in all forms.” He could make a comeback for the Bangladesh visit like Ahmed did.
The team, which travels to New Zealand looking to emulate the offensive strategy that has helped them win nine of ten Test matches since Ben Stokes took over as captain and Brendon McCullum as a coach, includes Essex’s Dan Lawrence once again.
Harry Brook, who may be making his England 50-over team debut in South Africa during a three-match series from January 27 to February 1, is predictably included in the Test squad after his performance against Pakistan.
The only other players in both squads are Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, and Stone, who will take a direct flight to New Zealand after the South Africa series.
Joe Root is in the test team despite being rested for those ODIs. The former captain of England will compete in a few games in the UAE T20 League before taking a break and joining Stokes’ squad.
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