With England’s first Test since last winter’s Ashes nearly upon us, the race for places for the three-match series against New Zealand is hotting up.
The squad for the first Test at Lord’s on 4 June is expected this week. And while much attention has been focussed on the batting, with the competition to replace opener Zak Crawley seemingly now between Durham pair Ben McKinney and Emilio Gay, the composition of England’s bowling attack is even more intriguing.
This will be the first summer since 2006 when England have been unable to call on any of James Anderson, Stuart Broad or Chris Woakes.
But there are plenty of options for coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, even though injuries to Brydon Carse, Mark Wood and spinner Jack Leach have ruled that trio out.
Here, The i Paper takes you through the potential bowling options to face New Zealand – and weighs up the likelihood of each taking part in the series.
Josh Tongue
2026 average: 11 wickets @ 25.90
The Nottinghamshire quick was one of the few players who stood up in Australia, taking 18 wickets at 20.11 during the Ashes. The 28-year-old has started the season well, too, and is the one bowler who looks guaranteed to take on the Black Caps at Lord’s.
Likelihood of playing in the New Zealand series: 10
Tongue is likely to lead the England attack this summer (Photo: Getty)Jofra Archer
2026 average: N/A
The fast bowler returned home early from Australia with a side strain but has since recovered and is currently playing in the Indian Premier League, where he has been a regular for Rajasthan Royals. Archer gets into England’s strongest team but may sit out the first Test against New Zealand given he will probably need time to up his bowling loads in the nets as he makes the transition from T20 cricket.
NZ likelihood: 10
Gus Atkinson
2026 average: 3 @ 56
The 28-year-old is one of England’s first-choice bowling picks and will surely play most Tests this summer. Yet he may have to wait to be involved against New Zealand given he was concussed by Tongue batting in the latest round of Championship games. Having only played one full match for Surrey this summer, he may need time to get himself up to speed physically.
NZ likelihood: 9
Ollie Robinson
2026 average: 17 @ 26.17
Has not played Test cricket since the tour of India in early 2024 but the off-field issues that seemingly contributed to him being frozen out have been resolved and he’s back in contact with England’s hierarchy. A likely leader of the attack, his form at the start of the season for an in-form Sussex team, who he now captains, suggests he will be recalled for Lord’s.
NZ likelihood: 8
Ollie Robinson: I'm confused why England axed me He speaks to @StocksC_cricket #EnglandCricket t.co/lWSPlRYi6Y
— The i Paper Sport (@TheiPaperSport) March 26, 2026Rehan Ahmed
2026 average: 6 @ 38.33
The 21-year-old leg-spinner has already played five Tests and looks primed for another opportunity this summer – starting at Lord’s. Also at the IPL, where he has not yet played for Delhi Capitals, but he at least got a couple of Championship games in for Leicestershire before he left. His batting ability means he’s a solid option for No 8 and gives him the edge over his rivals.
NZ likelihood: 8
Sam Cook
2026 average: 21 @ 20.66
The stats don’t lie, even if the Essex seamer had a disappointing Test debut against Zimbabwe last May. Cook’s early-season form is standard for a bowler whose consistency has been unmatched in county cricket over the past decade. He deserves another chance and if England are serious about rewarding performances in the domestic game he will get one at some point against New Zealand.
NZ likelihood: 7
Matt Potts
2026 average: 18 @ 25.22
Had a tough time in Australia, where England were reluctant to pick him until they were forced to in Sydney because of injuries to others. He had a stinker there – with figures of 0-141 in that final Test. Has started the season well for Durham but others are ahead of him right now.
NZ likelihood: 6
Sonny Baker is desperate to put his two nightmare England debuts behind him (Photo: Getty)Sonny Baker
2026 average: 14 @ 26.21
Young, raw and another genuine 90mph bowler, the 23-year-old is on England’s radar after an encouraging start to the season for Hampshire. But will probably have to bide his time for a Test debut.
NZ likelihood: 5
Will Jacks
2026 average: N/A
The spinning all-rounder was England’s compromise pick for the Ashes – when they lost their nerve about picking a frontline slow bowler. Jacks is surely not a long-term strategy? Another currently at the IPL.
NZ likelihood: 4
Shoaib Bashir
2026 average: 14 @36.57
Overlooked for the entirety of the Ashes, the off-spinner is rebuilding his career at Derbyshire. The lack of faith shown in him in Australia suggests he is some way off a recall.
NZ likelihood: 3
Olly Stone
2026 average: 12 @26.83
It’s been great to see Stone return for Nottinghamshire this season after a run of injuries. Now 32, he is still a genuine quick capable of topping 90mph but it feels like his time in Test cricket may have passed.
NZ likelihood: 2
Josh Hull
2026 average: 3 @125
Given a surprise Test debut against Sri Lanka at The Oval in 2024, the hulking left-arm seamer has had a poor start to the season for Leicestershire and is unlikely to be considered.
NZ likelihood: 1
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