James Anderson and Stuart Broad return as England resist changes for first New Zealand Test

GEORGE DOBELL: Ollie Pope has been recalled and will be at No.3 and Jonny Bairstow remains despite coming straight from the Indian Premier League. Matthew Potts and Harry Brook earn maiden call-ups

England look to have kept faith with familiar players for the squad for the first Test of the LV= Insurance Test series against New Zealand.

As well as recalls for James Anderson and Stuart Broad, The Cricketer understands that Alex Lees, Craig Overton and Jack Leach have retained their places in the squad following the tour to the Caribbean.

Despite an excellent start to the season, Harry Brook looks set to be included only as a reserve batter with Ollie Pope winning a recall to the side at No. 3. Zak Crawley is expected to open with Lees.

^{Ollie Pope is set to bat at No.3 for the first time in his Test career (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)}

Ben Foakes is expected to retain his role with the gloves, but Jonny Bairstow may well return to bat at No.5 despite not having played a first-class game since the end of the Caribbean tour. 

There is understood to be no place for Matt Parkinson, the Lancashire leg-spinner who has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, though Matthew Potts, the Durham seamer, is expected to be included. 

^{Harry Brook must wait for his Test debut, despite earning a maiden call-up (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)}

Dan Lawrence and Ollie Robinson are expected to be included in the squad, too, though both will be required to prove their fitness ahead of the Test.

While several extra players will be named, some – such as Brook – are included in the knowledge they are reserves.

Some might consider it a surprisingly conservative selection. Certainly, there was much expectation of a bold approach from the new regime of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. But it appears they have instead decided to take a look at existing players before making long-term decisions on their future.

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• Joe Root moving back to No.4, confirms Ben Stokes