Fast bowler Stuart Broad has been recalled to England’s Test squad following the birth of his first child, while the batting duo of Matthew Potts and Dan Lawrence is also back in the line-up for the two-match Test series against New Zealand.
Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, who became the youngest player to take a five-wicket haul during England’s victory against Pakistan in the third and final Test at Karachi recently, will not be touring New Zealand in February and rather take part in a T20 league to gain experience of franchise cricket.
If picked in the IPL 2023 auction, Rehan will skip the first few matches for Leicestershire in the County Championship as well.
England head coach Brendon McCullum praised the young lad after the Karachi Test but said the team management needs to be careful Rehan is managed.
“It is a great story. He’s a young kid, but he has a tremendous attitude. He has a high ceiling in terms of skill level, a bit of x-factor and he has the potential to wow the world, which is pretty cool,” McCullum was quoted as saying in the New Zealand media.
“We have to look after him, encourage him to get as much experience of conditions and franchise tournaments with different coaches and players to allow that talent to come out. “To see a young kid given the chance at 18 to live his dream and dominate in a test match, it might just spark one or two to stay away from the things kids that age are doing, and we might see more coming through. If that happens, Rehan is a pioneer,” added McCullum.
Meanwhile, seam bowler Mark Wood – who shined with the ball in the recent 3-0 victory over Pakistan, will take a break from all international and franchise league matches in January after a busy winter. The right-armer is expected to tour Bangladesh in March, where the England side will play three ODIs and as many T20Is.
England Test squad for the New Zealand tour:
Ben Stokes (captain), James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Will Jacks, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Olly Stone.
