England v New Zealand Test Series 2026

[sussexpob]

Guessing most likely it's going to be breaching the new curfew, which considering they just won and ain't playing for 10 days, is a non starter even for me. I don't want them being treated like kids after they won a game, it's the one time they should be able to cut lose.

[sussexpob]

Atkinson and Stokes have been dropped for the 2nd test. Root to captain the side. Cox and Archer in the squad ready to replace

[Arthur Crabtree]

Has been a lot of public outrage (taking the BBC to be a middle ground) about this, led by Agnew.

Seems like overkill, but then we don't know how much of a last warning they were pushing against.

Cleary a warning aimed at the rest of the side.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Surely Baker of Fisher should come in as they are in the squad. Plus Rew or Rehan for Stokes

I'd have had another look at S.Curran instead of Stokes at seven at seven sometime.

[Durhamfootman]

SCurran can't bowl atm

[Arthur Crabtree]

OK, that's a problem.

Wonder if Gentle Ben will call it a day.

[sussexpob]

I'd imagine they slot Rehan at 7, and drop Bashir for a 4 seam attack. Rew would leave us very short in bowling, and clearly they don't trust Bashir without the 4 seam safety net behind.

Liam Dawson might slot in nicely with 4 seamers too. But england are thin on the ground for all rounders that play 7.

As DFM says, Curran is injured and can only bat at the minute. Pulled out the IPL

[sussexpob]

England have liked Overton in the past too, but I'd like to think that experiment is over

[andy]

England have liked Overton in the past too, but I'd like to think that experiment is over

Jamie? He's retired from red ball

[Durhamfootman]

OK, that's a problem.

Wonder if Gentle Ben will call it a day.

it would be a shame if he does

[Durhamfootman]

England have liked Overton in the past too, but I'd like to think that experiment is over

Jamie? He's retired from red ball

as has Liam Dawson

[Durhamfootman]

I'm a bit surprised that Lawrence hasn't been called up

[sussexpob]

England have liked Overton in the past too, but I'd like to think that experiment is over

Jamie? He's retired from red ball

as has Liam Dawson

Overton didn't retire, he just wrote himself out of Ashes contention citing burn out over workload. Might change his mind if someone dangles an ECB contract infront of him. Same for Dawson too, who retired after Bashir was reselected.... but without Stokes, England need an allrounder, so the equation changes.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hope they pick Rehan, but my vibe is they will be reluctant to pick him outside of Asia. Maybe they'll either go for a long tail or four bowlers.

Forecast at the moment for next week is hot and sunny, so may get a lot of cricket in the game. So neither is ideal.

[alfie]

Hope they pick Rehan, but my vibe is they will be reluctant to pick him outside of Asia. Maybe they'll either go for a long tail or four bowlers.

Forecast at the moment for next week is hot and sunny, so may get a lot of cricket in the game. So neither is ideal.

Can't see them going for a tail starting with Robinson at seven ! I reckon Rehan will start. If it is hot and sunny they will need more than 4 bowlers , with a couple of them maybe not best suited to having to bowl a lot of extended spells. With Rehan ( and perhaps some odd overs from Root and Bethell) they could play Robinson Archer Tongue and Baker ... which is still a bit of a tail ; but allows the new lad to come in without too much pressure on him as 4th seamer.