Emilio Gay, James Rew, and Sonny Baker have been included in England's 15-man squad for the first Test against New Zealand, which begins on June 4 at Lord's. This marks a significant opportunity for Gay and Rew, both uncapped at the Test level, with Gay boasting an impressive average of 92 this season for Durham and Rew having scored 12 centuries for Somerset. Ollie Robinson makes a notable return after a two-year absence, having last played in a Test match in India in 2024. His inclusion adds depth to the bowling attack, especially with Brydon Carse sidelined due to injury. Ben Duckett retains his place following a strong performance at Nottinghamshire, while Zak Crawley has been dropped after a poor start to the season with Kent. The squad also features Matthew Fisher, who was unused during the Ashes, while Matthew Potts misses out. The new selector, Marcus North, aims to focus on county performances to identify talent for the national team, emphasizing the strength and depth of players in the domestic circuit.