Big changes for the England Test team?

Big changes for the England Test team?

From Test Match Special by BBC Radio 5 Live

April 20, 2026 · 53 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the upcoming changes and selections for the England Test team ahead of their summer series against New Zealand.

Mark Chapman, Alex Hartley, Steven Finn and, Matt Prior discuss how England’s Test team is shaping up for the summer, the spots up for grabs and, who is best placed to take them. Less than two months to go until England begin their Test summer against New Zealand at Lord’s, by that time it will be nearly five months since Ben Stokes’ side trudged off the SCG having lost the 5th Ashes Test, losing the series 4-1. Who should remain in the side? What are the main positions up for grabs? And is there someone who has done enough to make the step up? They also discuss the new rules around replacing players in the County Championship which has proved controversial so far. TIME CODES 00:00 Intro 06:15 How does selection work? 12:38 Opening batting partnership 16:35 Time for a new opening partnership? 24:37 James Rew and a positional dilemma 27:08 The cricket structure in England 30:31 Jacob Bethell and the Indian Premier League 34:34 Scores in the league 36:17 Favourites in the IPL 36:42 England’s pace bowlers 43:09 Spin bowlers 47:30 County Championship substitutes rule

People in this episode

Host: Mark Chapman

Guests: Alex Hartley, Steven Finn, Matt Prior

Topics covered

  • England Test team
  • player selection
  • County Championship rules
  • cricket structure
  • IPL
  • opening partnership

Keywords

  • England Test team
  • player selection
  • County Championship
  • Ashes Test
  • IPL
  • opening partnership
  • cricket structure

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: England Test team, New Zealand, County Championship

Places: Lord’s

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