Jacob Bethel, a 21-year-old Barbados-born all-rounder, will make his Test debut for England in Christchurch and bat at number three.
Jordan Cox's injury forced his selection, but Olly Pope kept the wicket in the first Test against New Zealand, making him the boldest selection for England under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. . Stylish left-handed Bethell, who plays for Warwickshire, is yet to score a century at first-class level, but will be the first batsman since Mike Gatting in 1978 to make his England debut without doing so.
Bethel came to England on a Rugby School scholarship at the age of 14 and is considered a generational talent. He has already made his international debut in one-day and Twenty20 cricket this year and recently signed a £246,000 deal to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the upcoming Indian Premier League. This first Test cap was announced and set to be completed while England were training at Hagley Oval two days before the series opener, which starts on Wednesday night UK time.
Coming in at first drop is a big ask for an inexperienced cricketer who has never represented Warwickshire in the county championship, but it has to be done with Pope carrying the burden of keeping. However, that doesn't mean Joe Root couldn't move up one spot given his previous experience there.
Pope's role change follows a serious injury to Cox in Queenstown on Sunday, initially filling in for Jamie Smith (who is on paternity leave) before suffering a serious fractured thumb in the net. Durham turnstile keeper Ollie Robinson is heading to New Zealand, but is not officially on hand and is in the process of renewing his passport.
Robinson has not yet been formally called up but should be ready in time for the second Test in Wellington once the paperwork is sorted. Pope is a capable gloveman, and the vice-captain has played the role in three Tests so far, keeping wickets throughout Surrey's climb up the path.
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quick guide
England national team faces New Zealand in first Test
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England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Kearse, Shoaib Kearse. bashir
Barring further injuries, England's squad will be in line with expectations, with Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Kearse joining the seam attack with the spin of Shoaib Bashir. Stokes, who returned from a torn hamstring suffered in the 2-1 defeat against Pakistan, has been bowling in training for the tour and is expected to play his usual all-rounder role.
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New Zealand are yet to name their squad but all signs are pointing towards the return of Kane Williamson, who missed out on the historic 3-0 win in India this month. Will Young could very well be a pinch hitter, even though he was named Player of the Series on that tour.
