Ollie Robinson was left out of England’s line-up for the series-deciding third Test against New Zealand despite being available for selection.
Robinson made his first England appearance at Lord’s since 2024, taking 7-77. Including a stunning triple wicket maiden in the first over. However, he missed the second Test against New Zealand due to knee pain.
The seamer was named in England’s reserve 15-man squad for the third Test after recovering from injury, but was left out of the XI with Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue retaining their places for the second Test.
Elsewhere, England captain Stokes and fast bowler Atkinson are expected to return to the line-up after serving one-match suspensions amid an ECB investigation into a nightclub incident that followed a breach of the team’s curfew.
Both players were later cleared of any wrongdoing by the cricket regulator.
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James Cole reports on England training ahead of the third Test against New Zealand. There he met Ben Stokes for the first time since he was suspended for one match for violating the team’s curfew.
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England coach Brendan McCollum discusses Ben Stokes’ return ahead of the third Test against New Zealand.
Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith returned from maternity leave to replace debutant James Rew, while England decided to bring back Atkinson and spinner Shoaib Bashir in place of Sonny Baker and Matt Fisher. This despite the latter’s impressive halftone in the second test.
Bashir was included in the provisional squad and was preferred over all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, who scored 128 with two wickets in Leicestershire’s win over Yorkshire in the County Championship on Sunday.
Jordan Cox returned to number seven after Stokes made his Test debut at The Oval.
England XI for the third Rothesay Test against New Zealand:
Ben Duckett
Emilio Gay
Jacob Bethel
Joe Root
harry brook
Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper)
Ben Stokes (captain)
Gus Atkinson
Jofra Archer
Josh Tongue
Shoaib Bashir
England vs New Zealand results and fixtures
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