ENG v NZ 2022: James Anderson, Stuart Broad return as England name playing XI for Lord’s Test

Anderson and Broad were axed from the squad for the West Indies tour after the 4-0 Ashes debacle.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad | GettyEngland have recalled veteran pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad to their side for the Test series opener against New Zealand, starting June 2 at Lord’s.

Two of England's most successful bowlers of all time, Anderson and Broad were axed from the squad for the West Indies tour after the 4-0 Ashes debacle Down Under.

However, the duo returned for the first Test under England's new leadership duo of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

Besides, Durham quick Matthew Potts is set to make his debut as the hosts named him in the XI picked a day ahead of the scheduled first Test.

Potts was preferred over Craig Overton, after an injury crisis deprived England of several fast bowlers including Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, Matt Fisher and Olly Stone.

The 23-year-old Potts has been selected on the back of a stellar county season, where he took 35 wickets for Durham in 6 matches.

England are currently occupying the last position on the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, following a woeful run of one win in 17 games.

New Zealand, who haven’t announced their XI yet, are the reigning World Test champions after defeating India in last year's inaugural final at Southampton.

England XI for the first Test at Lord's:

Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (capt), Ben Foakes (wkt), Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 01 Jun, 2022

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