England weigh Test debut for Baker amid weather concerns

England have announced a 12-man squad for Thursday's first Test against New Zealand at Lord's, postponing the decision on whether to give Hampshire's Sonny Baker his Test debut. The team mirrors the approach from the first Ashes Test last November when both Mark Wood and Shoaib Bashir were initially selected before Wood's extra pace was preferred. tbzikra.org

This time, Bashir has been chosen over Rehan Ahmed as the frontline spinner, while Jacob Bethell is fit after a finger injury and available to bowl if required. Brendon McCullum supports Baker's 'full noise' approach, with Gus Atkinson potentially playing if conditions are less hot at Lord's.