England’s red-ball new dawn has seen two uncapped 23-year-olds get their first chance of international glory and second chances handed to the country’s two most experienced bowlers, as the team seek to improve their recently moribund fortunes under the stewardship of Brendon McCullum.
As widely trailed by the side’s new captain, Ben Stokes, the 13-man squad for the first two Tests of a three-match series against McCullum’s compatriots from New Zealand, at Lord’s and Trent Bridge next month, features both James Anderson and Stuart Broad, first and third respectively on England’s all-time most-capped list.
