As James Anderson and Stuart Broad were called up for the opening Test against New Zealand, starting on Thursday at Lord’s, England captain Ben Stokes said he wanted everyone in the team to “feel comfortable.”
As James Anderson and Stuart Broad were called up to the New England squad for the upcoming first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, skipper Ben Stokes stated he wanted everyone to “feel comfortable” under his guidance. After Joe Root stepped down as captain, Ben Stokes has assumed the role, with England having won only one of their previous 17 Tests. “There’s been a lot of talk about a reset,’ which is a word I don’t like,” said the all-rounder at Lord’s on Wednesday. In my mind, it’s just a blank canvas. Everybody should feel at ease under my command.
It’s time for us to take the reins, and we’re going to do it our way.” “Everyone is making a new start.”
This year’s 1-0 loss to the West Indies was a snub for England’s two most successful bowlers of all time, 39-year-old James Anderson and 35-year-old Stuart Broad.
In a team named on Wednesday — a day ahead of schedule — they return to face England for the first time under the new leadership tandem of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, the former captain of New Zealand.
Matthew Potts, a Durham teammate of Ben Stokes, has also made his England debut.
Since England lost Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, and Jofra Archer due to injury problems, Potts has been given the opportunity to play ahead of fellow squad member Craig Overton.
Since making his debut for Durham, the 23-year-old has claimed 35 wickets in his first six County Championship outings.
According to Stokes, Potts has “been terrific” in the games he’s played.
“Bowlers haven’t had it easy, and he’s made things up out of thin air.
After he bowled us to victory over Glamorgan, Potty made my mind up about him,” he says.
“He showed there with a stiff side, but he didn’t sit back and say, ‘I’m going to take care of myself,'” says the author. We won the game thanks to his heroics.
“That’s the mindset that helps you see things differently. Our youngster is everything I want this team will be in the future: an athlete.”
Previously, England had indicated that Jonny Bairstow will bat at number five, with Ollie Pope expected to take the wickets at the top of their order in the first Test against India.
Thus, Bairstow’s Yorkshire teammate Harry Brook, who is currently in fine form, will have to wait for his Test debut.
Even with an average of 140 this season, Brook has not been able to break into the top six.
With New Zealand still to pick their team, the reigning World Test champions after defeating India in last year’s first final at Southampton, England sit at the bottom of the World Test Championship table.
England’s first-Test squad against New Zealand:
Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (captain), Ben Foakes
