England 'rest' its IPL stars for two Tests vs Kiwis

LONDON: England on Tuesday named uncapped seamer Ollie Robinson and wicketkeeper-batsman James Bracey in a 15-member squad and rested its IPL players for the two-match home Test series against New Zealand next month.

While Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer remain sidelined with injuries, Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes, all of whom played in the IPL, have been rested, said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in a statement.

The first Test will be played from June 2 to 6 at Lord's, London, while the second Test is scheduled to be played from June 10 to 14 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Gloucestershire wicketkeeper-batsman James Bracey has so far scored 478 runs at an average of 53 in the ongoing County Championship while Sussex seamer Robinson has taken 29 wickets at an average of 14.

"Bracey and Robinson deserve their call ups to the Test squad. They have been consistent performers in the County Championship this season and over the past 18 months, have excelled for the Lions on the field and in the various camps they have been involved in," said head coach Chris Silverwood.

The ECB said that the IPL stars would rest for some time before joining their respective counties in due course. IANS

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