Ben Stokes has announced his team for the First Test against New Zealand, with Stuart Broad returning to the XI after missing the series against Pakistan for the birth of his child.
England’s team for the match that starts on Thursday is as expected, with only two changes to the XI that took the field in Karachi in December with James Anderson and Broad replacing Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed, neither of whom are with the squad for this tour.
Anderson and Broad will complete England’s bowling quartet alongside fellow seamer Ollie Robinson and left-arm spinner Jack Leach.
Stokes said: “The way in which we’ve gone about our selections, especially in England and here — similarish conditions — the team we pick, especially with the ball, has all the bases covered.”
The only slight concern for England is the fitness of Stokes himself, who despite insisting he will be fit to bowl, has taken two days off in the lead-up to matchday in order to nurse a long-standing knee complaint.
“Everything is good, bowling-wise,” Stokes said. “It will be similar to Pakistan, picking the moment when it will be best to get my overs in. I’ve had the last two days off, then will have a trundle tomorrow.”
The good news, however, is that Cyclone Gabrielle, which struck Mount Maunganui late on Monday night and had the potential to wipe out the fixture, passed through the city largely without issue as locals woke up to clear skies.
The Bay Oval, where the match will be played, is already in excellent condition with several England players using the outfield for fielding and fitness drills today.
England’s batting line-up is settled with Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley to continue opening the batting with Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes completing the XI.
“There’s no better time to be playing Test cricket for England,” said Duckett. “I can’t even say how great the environment is. It’s so enjoyable to be around. And, most importantly, out in the middle you’re allowed to play the way you want to play. It’s pretty special.”
Duckett, 28, returned to England’s Test fold in Pakistan after a six-year absence and excelled, averaging 71.40 across three Tests.
“We’ll see,” Duckett answered as to whether he felt he had done enough to consider the shirt his own. “I take every game as it comes. My biggest learning first time around with England was not to look too far ahead. I just want to keep enjoying myself, scoring runs and if I can do that, fingers crossed I’ll be okay.”
A multi-format player, Duckett turned down a deal in the UAE’s ILT20 franchise competition in order to focus on England. It has been a rapid rise for the left-hander, who five months ago was without an international appearance in more than three years but now finds himself in England’s three squads.
“My sole focus is playing for England,” Duckett said. “Three or four years down the line, who knows? But right now, it’s playing as much cricket as I can for England.”
If the feel-good mood around the camp was not clear enough already, he revealed that even his Valentine’s Day plans centred around his team-mates.
“It might just be watching Love Island in my bed with Will Jacks and Harry Brook,” Duckett joked.
