Michael Atherton makes case for Harry Brook's inclusion in Test XI

The former England captain told Sky Sports he would select the in form Yorkshire batter in place of Jonny Bairstow at No.5

Michael Atherton believes Harry Brook should be included in England’s XI for the first Test against New Zealand, which will begin at Lord’s on June 2.

The Yorkshire batter has scored 840 runs in six LV= Insurance County Championship outings, passing 50 in eight of his nine innings. Only Kent’s Ben Compton and Derbyshire’s Shan Masood have scored more runs than Brook across both divisions.

However, England have already named their probable XI for the first Test, with Brook’s Yorkshire teammate Jonny Bairstow set to bat at No.5 and Surrey’s Ollie Pope taking the vacant No.3 slot.

^{Jonny Bairstow is slated to bat at No.5 [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

However, speaking on Sky Sports, Atherton said he would select Brook ahead of Bairstow in the middle order. Bairstow hasn’t played any red-ball cricket since England’s tour of the Caribbean in March due to his IPL commitments.

"I'd have to pick him ahead of Bairstow at No. 5, just because of the form he is in. His first-class form has been exceptional," Atherton said. "When you pick a young player is so important and he will never be in better form than this, never be more confident than this.

"It's not absolutely straightforward and the slight conundrum has been created by the fact Stokes has said Root will go back to No. 4 and they want Pope to have a dash at No. 3.

"I don't think England will slip Brook in that middle order, but the temptation must be there - it must be so tempting to play a young man who is in that kind of form."