SIBLEY, POPE AND GREGORY... Our writers select their England squads for New Zealand

As England prepare to unveil the group for the two Tests against the Kiwis, The Cricketer's team choose who should travel for the post-Ashes tour.

TOM BLOW

With 1,324 runs at 69.68 this summer, England surely have to pick Dominic Sibley to open. Joe Denly should return to the middle-order following his exploits in the Ashes, although he can open if necessary. I'd be tempted to take Dawid Malan as he still has something to give at international level and Ollie Pope, who will benefit from the experience.

Ben Foakes should replace Jonny Bairstow with the gloves as the latter has failed to perform for some time in Test cricket. Jack Leach will continue as the number one spinner with Moeen Ali only getting a white-ball deal.

The fast bowling department will be a problem due to fitness issues. Injuries to Mark Wood and Olly Stone – and doubts over James Anderson and Mark Wood – mean that Lewis Gregory could get his chance.

My squad: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Ben Foakes, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, James Anderson, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Lewis Gregory 

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NICK FRIEND

With the first part of this winter not counting towards the World Test Championship, and with it coming on the back of the most emotionally and physically draining summer in English cricketing history, now is the time to appreciate all that has happened. Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes, therefore, should be encouraged to enjoy a holiday. 

Joe Root only tours because he is the captain, while both Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler took a fortnight off when England faced Ireland. Dom Sibley must play because, quite simply, what’s the point of a domestic setup otherwise? He has battered the door down for the last 18 months and deserves his chance. 

Where Dan Lawrence sits on the list, treat his name as a placeholder. James Vince, Sam Billings, George Bartlett, Sam Northeast, Zak Crawley, Hassan Azad – it’s a free series in a sense.

My squad: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Denly, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence, Jos Buttler, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Lewis Gregory

NICK HOWSON

We can pack up the County Championship as a worthwhile entity if Dom Sibley is omitted from this squad. He has faced more balls this season than any batsman in Divisions One or Two and has fully deserved an opportunity at Test level.

Forget the idea this series doesn't count towards the World Test Championship, several players are badly in need of a rest regardless of the circumstances. Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer should get some Christmas shopping done. Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow can start making plans for Boxing Day, where the South Africa series kicks off.

Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes and Dawid Malan's full recall is well overdue. Sam Hain, Sam Northeast, Ollie Robinson and Lewis Gregory have all had England Lions exposure and now seems a good opportunity to add them to the group, even if they don't play. We're told in dispatches the domestic structure isn't good enough to produce future England player. Let's put that to the test.

My squad: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Root, Sam Hain, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, Jamie Porter, Dawid Malan, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Ollie Robinson, Sam Northeast

SAM MORSHEAD

The two-Test series in New Zealand does not count towards the World Test Championship and, as such, gives England the opportunity to tinker, experiment and rest players without risking ranking points. More than that, though, it is imperative there is change after the Ashes. 

Joe Denly's three half-centuries in five innings should see him keep his place. Moving him to three, and bringing in Dom Sibley - whose sheer weight of runs and balls faced in the Championship cannot be ignored - should offer Joe Root a little extra protection at four. 

Jonny Bairstow should only tour if he is going to play and it seems the right time to rest him. Jos Buttler or Ben Foakes gets the gloves and bats at seven. 

Stuart Broad gets a rest and Jamie Porter is finally given the opportunity to show what he can do on the international stage.

My squad: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Denly, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler, Ben Foakes, Lewis Gregory, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, Jamie Porter, James Anderson/Mark Wood

HUW TURBERVILL

It sounds as if England are not resting the big names for the Tests so expect continuity after the 2-2 draw with Australia. 

The batting will still no doubt be high-octane (even more so with Ollie Pope added) but it might take a new, permanent coach to tweak that approach. 

England will have a tricky decision on whether to give Jonny Bairstow a rest. 

My squad: Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Ben Foakes, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Dom Sibley