England have dropped the opening batsman. Zack Crowley from his squad for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s next month.The squad was announced following England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat by Australia and a review of the team’s set-up.England also confirmed the appointment of the former Australian batsman. Marcus North As a national selector. This is the first time that a foreigner has been appointed to the role.England said North would “contribute to the selection of all England men’s squads,” from the senior team through to the youth program.North has a long association with English domestic cricket, having represented six county teams. Since 2018, he has served as Director of Cricket at Durham County Cricket Club, where he has also worked closely with England Test captain Ben Stokes.The England selectors have faced criticism from some former players and pundits for ignoring the county’s performance when selecting the national team. The debate gained more attention after the Ashes loss.England have already been coached by New Zealand-born coaches. Brendon McCullum.North replaces Luke Wright, who spent three years in the role.
Crowley and Pope fall.
Changes were expected after England’s humiliating Ashes campaign led by Stokes and McCullum.With Crowley, the No. 3 batsman Ollie Pope He has also been left out of the squad for the first Test starting on June 4.England have included three uncapped players in the squad, with fast bowler Ollie Robinson returning after a two-year absence.Crowley struggled during the 2025–26 Ashes tour, scoring 273 runs in 10 innings at 27.30.He has also not scored consistently for Kent County Cricket Club in Division Two of the County Championship this season.This is the first time since Stokes and McCullum took over the Test team in 2022 that Crowley has been left out of the squad while being fully available for selection.New faces include opener Emilio Gay and wicketkeeper-batsman James Reeve.Gay has also represented Italy in limited-overs internationals over the past two years through his mother’s Italian roots.England currently have limited fast bowling resources. Chris Woakes joins James Anderson and Stuart Broad in retirement, while Mark Wood and Brayden Carrs are injured.Jofra Archer is unavailable due to T20 commitments.Fast bowlers Matthew Fisher and Sonny Baker have been called up, with Baker yet to make his Test debut.Gus Atkinson, Robinson and Josh Tong are the more experienced pace options in the squad.The selection announced by England is only for the first Test of the three-match series.squad:Ben Stokes (capt), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethel, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Reeve, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tong.
