England Playing XI for first Test against New Zealand announced; RCB’s new recruit set for debut

Ahead of the high-stakes three-match Test series, England has confirmed their playing XI for the opening clash against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, beginning November 28. Led by Ben Stokes, England’s playing XI features seasoned campaigners and promising talent to dominate with both bat and ball in Christchurch.

The dynamic opening pair of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett are all set to make headlines by posing a formidable challenge to the Kiwi bowlers in the three-match Test series opener in Christchurch.

England reveals Playing XI for first Test against New Zealand

Crawley and Duckett will set the tone at the top of the order for England. However, all eyes will be on 21-year-old all-rounder Jacob Bethell, who is set to make his much-anticipated Test debut.

Jacob Bethell’s selection in England’s playing XI for the first time came after being snapped up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for a whopping INR 2.60 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction.

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Bethell’s first-class record is impressive, scoring 738 runs at an average of 25.44 from 30 innings, and England's 'Bazball' philosophy perfectly complements his fearless approach to batting.

Bethell has been slotted into the very important No. 3 position for the highly anticipated Test series opener against New Zealand. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope will take up wicketkeeping duties after Jordan Cox was ruled out of the upcoming Test series in New Zealand due to a fractured thumb.

Jacob Bethell is set to make his Test debut for England at No. 3 in Christchurch

Originally, Jordan Cox was set to make his Test debut as a replacement for Jamie Smith, who withdrew from New Zealand to stay with his wife for the birth of their first child.

Since Bethell is set to make his Test debut at No. 3, Ollie Pope has been dropped to the No. 6 position for the Test series opener, with the middle order bolstered by the presence of batting icon Joe Root, young batting sensation Harry Brook, and skipper and star all-rounder Ben Stokes himself.

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Speaking about the bowling attack for the Christchurch Test, England's pace attack looks well-rounded with Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse, while Shoaib Bashir is the sole spinner in the bowling line-up to trouble the Kiwi batters in the first Test.

ECB said in a media release: “England Men have confirmed their XI for the first Test against New Zealand, which begins on Thursday in Christchurch (11 am local time). Warwickshire batter Jacob Bethell will make his Test debut and is set to bat at number three. Ollie Pope will keep wicket in the absence of Jordan Cox, who fractured his right thumb during practice last weekend in Queenstown, and will bat at six.”

Here’s England's Playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (WK), Ben Stokes (C), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir