Three writers pick their bowling attack for England’s first Test squad of the summer ahead of their encounter with New Zealand at Lord’s, beginning on June 2

“Overton looked like an international bowler in the Bob Willis final at Lord’s last autumn: quick enough, relentless, in-your-face. He is currently the outstanding cricketer on the county circuit

PHIL WALKER

JO HARMAN

Wisden Cricket Monthly magazine editor

I really don’t buy this idea that England should mix things up for the first Test of a home summer against a side who very recently topped the Test rankings, particularly given the challenges that lie ahead. I love caps being dished out, and the now-customary tear-jerking speeches that accompany them, as much as the next man, but Joe Root needs a win under his belt after a winter which turned a little sour. So Anderson and Broad are in, as is Mark Wood, who deserves a home Test after back-breaking work in Sri Lanka and draining bench-time in India, and Ollie Robinson – the most prolific and consistent county seamer of the last three-and-a-bit seasons – just sneaks into the squad ahead of Craig Overton and Olly Stone. Archer and Woakes can get more overs in their legs in the Championship before returning to the mix, while Jack Leach is retained as spinner. It’s really tempting to give the leggie Matt Parkinson a run out after his recent red-ball exploits for Lancs but to drop England’s most consistent performer in India would send out the wrong message. As for the final XI, and whether Robinson – who might be needed at No.8 in my rather lengthy tail – debuts in place of Anderson or Broad, I’ll leave that one to Root and Silverwood…