England announce Test squad for New Zealand tour, Bairstow dropped

The English selectors have named a 15-man squad for the two-match Test series in New Zealand. Undertaking a major overhaul, some new faces feature in the squad who will be undoubtedly keen to make a mark. Many names from the Ashes squad have been given the axe, with a preference given to outstanding performers on the domestic circuit. The likes of wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow and opener Jason Roy have been dropped. James Anderson too misses out after failing to recover from a calf injury suffered during the first Ashes Test.

New names in the squad include openers Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley. The pair will fight to partner Rory Burns at the top of the order. Joe Denly will also be a candidate to open the batting. Middle-order batsman Ollie Pope has also earned a recall after being a consistent performer on the county circuit.

The bowling department also sees the introduction of some new faces. Pacer Saqib Mahmood and leg-spinner Matt Parkinson earn a call-up after the promise which they have displayed in the second division of the County Championship.

Joe Root, despite questions being raised on his captaincy, will continue to lead the squad.

Regulars rested for T20I squad

England have also named the squad for the three-match T20I series, opting to rest many regulars in order to manage their workload. World Cup heroes Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes and Joe Root have all been rested. Promising batsman Tom Banton receives a call-up to the squad with Chris Jordan also making a comeback. James Vince and Dawid Malan have also been given another opportunity. Eoin Morgan will continue to lead the side.

Test squad: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Matt Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes

T20I squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Pat Brown, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Matt Parkinson, Adil Rashid, James Vince