Thu Nov 28 01:48:52 UTC 2024: ## England Hands Debut to Bethel in First Test Against New Zealand
**Christchurch, New Zealand:** England has unveiled its squad for the first Test against New Zealand, with young batsman Jacob Bethel earning a debut call-up under captain Ben Stokes. The match marks the start of England’s ICC World Test Championship campaign.
Bethel, who impressed during recent white-ball series against Australia and the West Indies, will bat at number three in his maiden Test appearance. The pace attack will be led by Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse, with Shoaib Bashir taking charge of the spin bowling.
While England is already eliminated from contention for the World Test Championship final next year, New Zealand still has a chance to qualify, needing a 3-0 series win on home soil. The first Test begins Thursday in Christchurch, followed by matches in Wellington and Hamilton.
The England team is: Jack Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethel, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Shoaib Bashir.
First Piper 