Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/NEW ZEALAND: England recalled seam bowler Stuart Broad for this week’s first Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui, reuniting his strike partnership with veteran Jimmy Anderson.
Broad, who has 566 Test wickets, would lead the attack alongside 40-year-old Anderson, England’s all-time leading bowler with 675 dismissals, and seamer Ollie Robinson.
Skipper and all-rounder Ben Stokes will be the fourth seam option, with spinner Jack Leach completing the bowling attack for the day-night encounter.
The Broad missed the 3-0 Test series win over Pakistan in December 2022 following the birth of his child.
The first cricket match of the two-Test series is expected to go ahead despite a national emergency in New Zealand caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Stokes said the team had managed to practice under cover of a marquee, despite the weather.
Stokes said, “We have been lucky with the tent up here, we have been able to train, but the cyclone has not helped preparations.”
He has admitted it had been tough deciding which bowlers to leave out, with pacemen Olly Stone and Matthew Potts in the squad.
“We have the experience of Anderson and Broad; you want a bit of X-factor in your third seamer, which we have.
“We have a great combination of fast bowlers coming through England, which is an exciting position to be in.”
England cricket team
England comes in as favorites, having won nine of their last ten Tests, including three home wins against New Zealand the previous year.
Stokes has surprised his side wouldn’t have to face left-arm pace bowler Trent Boult, who was released from his New Zealand contract the previous year to play in Australia.
“Any team without Trent Boult gives you a little bit of hope. He is the quality performer, but that’s a New Zealand issue, not ours,” Stokes said.
The England squad has been in New Zealand for several weeks, and Stokes said the series needed to start sooner.
He said, “I wish the game was today; it feels like we’ve been here ages,”.
“The second cricket game comes thick and fast after a first, so the team is raring to get going.”
A second and final Test begins in Wellington on February 24.
England: Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Ben Foakes, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.
