CRAIG Overton and Jack Leach have both retained their space in the England Men's test squad for the first upcoming match against New Zealand at Lord's.
The selection panel have named a 13-strong squad for the first two LV= Insurance Test matches of the summer against New Zealand starting at Lord's on 2 June.
Managing director for England Men's Cricket, Rob Key, said: "This is the start of a new era for our Test team under the stewardship of Ben (Stokes) and Brendon (McCullum).
"With a blend of youth and experience, we have selected an exciting squad that can compete with New Zealand in next month's Test series.
"We have rewarded players in Harry Brook and Matty Potts who have had outstanding starts to the County season, and they deserve the opportunity to stake a claim at this level.
Yorkshire batter Harry Brook and Durham seamer Matthew Potts are called up for the first time.
"It promises to be a mouthwatering series, and I can't wait for the team to start against a very good New Zealand side. It is a fascinating prospect for everyone connected with the sport in this country."
The full squad is as follows:
- Ben Stokes (Durham) captain
- James Anderson (Lancashire)
- Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
- Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
- Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
- Zak Crawley (Kent)
- Ben Foakes (Surrey)
- Jack Leach (Somerset)
- Alex Lees (Durham)
- Craig Overton (Somerset)
- Matthew Potts (Durham)
- Ollie Pope (Surrey)
- Joe Root (Yorkshire)
The three-match Test series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship. The England team will be looking to climb the rankings after a disappointing start to the second edition of the Championship.
At the end of the two-year cycle, the top two teams will compete in the ICC World Test Championship Final due to be staged in the summer of 2023.
The squad will come together for the first time next week in a camp before reporting to Lord's on 29 May ahead of the first Test on the 2 June.
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