England face stern test as NZ pick Jamieson & O'Rourke

Breaking news from the world of sport: England face stern test as NZ pick Jamieson & O'RourkeImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Kyle Jamieson was player of the match when New Zealand beat India in the 2021 World Test Championship finalByMatthew HenryBBC Sport JournalistPublished9 minutes agoKyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke have returned after injuries to bolster a strong New Zealand pace attack for next month's Test series in England and one-off Test against Ireland. Towering seamer Jamieson, 31, has not played a Test since 2024 after back issues while O'Rourke, 24, another tall quick, last featured in August having also sustained a back stress fracture. Batter Kane Williamson, who last played for the Black Caps in December after opting for a casual contract to pursue franchise opportunities, is also included.

There is no place for spinner Mitchell Santner who injured his shoulder at the Indian Premier League, but New Zealand still hope he could feature later in the England series. Seamer Jacob Duffy is also absent for the birth of his first child, while spin-bowling all-rounder Michael Bracewell has asked to step back from Test cricket and is not included. New Zealand play a four-day match in Belfast from 27 May before the three-Test series against Ben Stokes' England begins at Lord's on 4 June.

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The Test will be England's first since their 4-1 Ashes defeat and the presence of Jamieson and O'Rourke means their batting line-up, which struggled in Australia, will be tested. The Black Caps' squad also includes seamer Matt Henry, Blair Tickner - who took eight wickets in two one-day internationals against England last year - and Zak Foulkes, who took four in the first match of that series. Jamieson claimed 80 wickets in just 19 Tests before his injury, while O'Rourke has 39 in 11, including 10 against England in 2024.

Ben Sears, another seamer, is part of the squad to play Ireland and will tour England as a travelling reserve. All-rounder Dean Foxcroft, who bowls off-spin, has been called up for the first time.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.