Shoaib Bashir earns England's first-choice spinner role for the Lord's Test against New Zealand after being overlooked during the entire Ashes series. The 22-year-old returns despite taking just 15 wickets in six County Championship matches for Derbyshire this summer. England coach Brendon McCullum explains conditions in Australia weren't conducive to spin bowling.

The hosts make several changes with opener Emilio Gay making his Test debut in place of Zak Crawley following his poor Ashes performance. Jacob Bethell returns from a finger injury to bat at number three, while Ollie Robinson returns to the squad after more than two years. Sonny Baker provides pace options as the uncapped seamer vies for a spot in the XI.

Captain Ben Stokes swaps places in the batting order with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, with Smith moving up to number six and Stokes dropping to number seven. McCullum calls the move tactical, aiming to give Smith more time with the batters while utilizing Stokes' experience when batting with the tail. Stokes averaged only 18 during the Ashes while Smith has averaged 44 at number six in his short Test career.