England Recall Ollie Robinson, Call Up Gay, Rew and Baker for Lord's Test vs New Zealand

England have recalled Ollie Robinson from a two-year international absence and named uncapped Emilio Gay, James Rew and Sonny Baker in the squad for the first Test against New Zealand since the disappointing Ashes campaign.

Sussex seamer Robinson, 32, returns after a 2024 omission as England seek an attack leader for the Lord's match starting June 4.

Opener Zak Crawley sits out for the first time since captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum assumed control of the Test team in 2022. He pays the price for his poor Australia tour, which concluded in a 4-1 England loss.

Durham's 26-year-old Gay should take Crawley's spot in the XI. The specialist opener holds an edge over fellow left-hander Rew, 22.

Shoaib Bashir makes the squad despite missing the entire Ashes series. He will compete with Rehan Ahmed for the spinner's role. Ahmed could feature in a home Test for the first time.

England also named Australian Marcus North as the new national selector. The Durham director of cricket replaces Luke Wright, who left for personal reasons after the Ashes. North becomes the first foreigner to chair the selection panel.

Robinson's return highlights the pace-bowling rebuild after Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Chris Woakes retired in successive years.

The seamer took 76 Test wickets at under 23 apiece in 20 matches. Once viewed as the new-ball successor to Anderson and Broad, he lost favor after the India tour more than two years ago.

England cited fitness issues among other problems. Robinson suffered back injuries in each of his last two Tests: against Australia at Headingley in 2023 and India at Ranchi in 2024.

Few question Robinson's status as one of England's top seamers. His edge should bring needed intensity to the attack.

England management approached him at the season's start and tasked him with captaining Sussex. He has guided the county to three wins in five matches, claiming 17 wickets and a century against Surrey.

Robinson joins Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Fisher and 23-year-old Baker in the pace group. Jofra Archer remains in the Indian Premier League and will miss the first of three Tests. Brydon Carse recovers from a broken wrist.

Tongue impressed in the Ashes. Atkinson earns selection despite a concussion from Tongue in Surrey's County Championship game at Nottinghamshire over the weekend.

Surrey's Fisher, 28, joined the Ashes squad and could build on his single Test against West Indies in 2022.

Baker showed talent but struggled in white-ball international debuts last year. He impressed early this season with Hampshire.

Crawley's exit seemed certain. No Test opener has received 104 innings at the top with an average below 30.52.

Gay leads the race to partner Ben Duckett at Lord's. He scored three centuries for Durham to open the season.

If selected, Gay will gain dual international status after three T20s for Italy. He rejected a West Indies approach.

Rew, despite his youth, has 12 first-class centuries. Typically a middle-order player, England directed him to open for Somerset. In his debut there against Glamorgan last round, he scored four and nought.

Rew likely waits behind the middle order of Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Stokes and Jamie Smith.

England reviewed the Ashes, marred by on-field failures and off-field issues. Director of cricket Rob Key, McCullum and Stokes retained their roles.

The squad gathers for a training camp at Loughborough on May 22, a week before the opener.