By Dan Rankin
May 13 2013

Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow will take their place in the England middle order when the hosts take on New Zealand at Lord's, starting on Thursday this week...

With Kevin Pietersen ruled out through injury, it is another chance for the two youngsters to go head to head, to secure the last batting place ahead of the Ashes later this summer.

Both played in the Auckland drawn test, and Root warmed up for this two test series, by smashing 179 runs against the New Zealand, when he captained the England Lions in the three day warm up match.

That game was ruined by poor weather, but it gave valuable time in the middle for both Root and indeed Bairstow who scored 68.

With temperatures falling again, bowling conditions at Lord's is expected to be favouring those winning the toss, and England are boosted by the return from injury of both Graeme Swanna and Tim Bresnan.

England squad for first Test: Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Nick Compton (Somerset), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Matt Prior (Sussex, wkt), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).

England Name Squad to Face NZ

Discussion started by England Cricket (IP Logged), 13/05/2013 12:35

England Cricket
13/05/2013 12:35

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Birbal
13/05/2013 20:42

No room for Monty eh?

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Michael400
14/05/2013 18:22

no need for him in England mate, the ball doesn't turn enough!

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Mr English
14/05/2013 23:02

Monty wont play all summer, unless Swann is injured. Anyway we need him at Sussex.

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Michael400
15/05/2013 15:39

Swann is back for good now!

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Luddite
16/05/2013 08:59

England should thrash NZ without any problems.

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Michael400
18/05/2013 20:06

be closer than a few people think, they shouldn't be under estimated.

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Luddite
20/05/2013 08:01

They usually fold

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Michael400
21/05/2013 17:56

shame really as it was an excellent test match.

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