Wood, Rehan out as England name 15-man squad for New Zealand Tests

LONDON: England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday unveiled a strong 15-member squad for the upcoming away Test series against New Zealand, scheduled to roll into action on February 16 2023.

The ECB made significant changes to their squad for Pakistan Tests as pacer Mark Wood and young spinner Rehan Ahmed have been left out of the squad, while three pacers returned to the team for New Zealand Tests.

Broad, who did not tour Pakistan for the historic series, alongside Durham pacer Matthew Potts and Nottinghamshire’s quick Olly Stone, made his return to the English squad.

Furthermore, Essex batter Dan Lawrence will also be returning to England’s squad for the longest format.

Meanwhile, both Wood and Rehan have been left out of the squad in a bid to manage their workload, while English skipper Ben Stokes had already hinted at not putting more pressure on an unfinished article Rehan.

“Durham fast bowler Mark Wood, who was impressive in the recent 3-0 victory over Pakistan, will take a break from all international and franchise cricket in January to fully recover after a busy winter in all formats,” said ECB in a statement.

“He is expected to tour Bangladesh in March, where England will play three ODIS and three IT20s.

“Leg spinner Rehan Ahmed, as part of his management for this winter, will go to the UAE T20 League in January with a view to joining up with the white-ball team in Bangladesh if selected in March.”

It is pertinent to mention that England will tour New Zealand to play two-match Test series from February 16 to 28.

England Test Squad: Ben Stokes (Durham), James Anderson (Lancashire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Will Jacks (Surrey), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire)

England Men’s Test Tour of New Zealand Schedule:

First Test (Pink Ball): 16-20 February, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Second Test: 24-28 February, Basin Reserve, Wellington

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