England's playing XI announced for the first New Zealand Test, RCB's batsman worth Rs 2.60 crore will debut
England Playing XI For First Test vs New Zealand: England has announced its playing XI for the first Test match against New Zealand to be held in Christchurch from Thursday (28 November). Jacob Bethell will debut in the team, who has been selected to bat at number 3. Jordan Cox has been included in the team after breaking his thumb. Cox would have played the role of wicketkeeper in place of Jamie Smith in this match, but now Ollie Pope will do wicketkeeping. Let us tell you that Smith is not a part of this tour due to becoming a father.
Handing over this responsibility to Bethel shows that the selectors have faith in his talent. He made his T20 International and ODI debut in the home series against Australia this year. On the West Indies tour, he impressed by scoring three half-centuries in the series in both formats. Let us tell you that in the mega auction of Indian Premier League 2025, he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 2.60 crore.
Although Bethel has not been able to make an impact in first-class cricket, he averages 25.44 in 30 innings, which includes five half-centuries. His best score during this period has been 93 runs. He would become the first specialist batsman since Mike Gatting in 1978 to play for England in Test cricket without scoring a first-class century.
Let us tell you that this will also be the 150th Test match of England's legendary batsman Joe Root. Will bat at number 4 only in this match.
England's playing eleven for the first test against New Zealand
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethel, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir
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