There is a sense that change is coming for the England Men's Test team after a disappointing 4-1 Ashes defeat against Australia.
The tour was shrouded in controversy before the squad even touched down in the southern hemisphere and off the pitch matters were almost worse than the performances on it.
The roles of director of cricket Rob Key, head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes have all been the subject to extreme scrutiny in recent weeks and you get the sense that change, in some form, is in the offing.
Even if the trio do retain their positions heading into 2026, there is a growing feeling that they might relent from some of their more off-beat ideas about the game deployed since the beginning of their tenure.
England will play their first Test match of the new year against New Zealand at Lord's on Thursday 4th June. It is the first game of a three-match series that sees the two sides take each other on at The Oval and Trent Bridge.
We predict who will be selected to play for England for the opening Test of the summer...
1. Haseeb Hameed
Yes, ready yourselves for version three of Haseeb Hameed in an England shirt because it seems inevitable.
It seems a long time ago when Hameed made his England debut aged just 19 but he will still only be 29 years old as he approaches the 2026 County Championship season.
The Nottinghamshire skipper was hailed as the next best thing when he burst onto the international scene but it never quite worked out in an England shirt. However, Hameed has been prolific at domestic level in recent seasons, scoring 1,258 runs at an average of 66.21 during last season's County Championship campaign.
As well as Hameed's clear uptick in form, there are serious question marks over the Zak Crawley's position at the top of the order after a dissatisfactory Ashes series.
2. Ben Duckett
Despite shaky performances of late, I'm backing Ben Duckett to retain his place at the top of England's batting order.
Simply put, Duckett has been one of England's most consistent and important players, contributing greatly to the success of the team.
The burdens of being a three-format player in the modern era has clearly weighed heavily on the 31-year-old in recent months but he still remains amongst the top five run scorers in Tests, ODIs & T20Is for England across the last year.
Duckett is a flamboyant, destructive and talented player that should have plenty of years left at the top level.
3. Jacob Bethell
Jacob Bethell's recent coming-of-age hundred at the SCG makes him a no brainer for selection.
Many were surprised that the 22-year-old didn't get the nod over Ollie Pope from the beginning of the Ashes series but, when handed his opportunity in the final two Tests, he grasped it with both hands.
His magnificent 154 in Sydney was crafted with skill, patience and guile far beyond his years.
4. Joe Root
Retirement or injury will be the only factors keeping Joe Root from strolling out at number four at Lord's in June.
England's all-time top run scorer has arguably been the best batsman in the world since the turn of the decade and even managed to score a belated century in Australia this winter.
He now has Sachin Tendulkar in his sights and you'd be a brave man to bet against him toppling his records.
5. Harry Brook
Pundits and fans alike have rightly questioned some of Harry Brook's batting decisions this winter but there is no getting away from his inescapable talent.
It may be, as with many great players down the years, that we never see the absolute best of Brook due to his often rogue decision making but, even still, he more than warrants his spot at five.
6. Ben Stokes (C)
Ben Stokes, still as captain, is as important as any other player for England.
There are some people who can naturally lead, galvanise and produce from almost any position and Stokes is certainly one of them.
When someone is doing a poor job of captaincy in cricket it's plainly obvious to see but, when the opposite is occurring, it might be less noticeable. Stokes has the ability to create match-winning from moments simply from his captaincy and that is something that England cannot afford to lose.
7. Jamie Smith (WK)
Although Jamie Smith has come in for some major criticism of late, there is still just enough goodwill for him to retain his spot with the gloves in the Test sphere.
His poor form has seen him axed from England's T20I squad ahead of the World Cup but his contribution throughout the 2025 Test summer should see him keep his place for June.
The pressure is on, however, and if Smith doesn't start overly well, his place will come under threat.
8. Rehan Ahmed
Surely the selectors can see that there is more upside to Rehan Ahmed's inclusion than there is with Will Jacks?
Whilst Jacks is clearly a talented player - just watch his delivery to dismiss Steve Smith in the fifth Ashes Test - the case for Ahmed is compelling.
Adept with both bat and ball, the 21-year-old has been absent from the Test setup since late 2024 but now the Shoaib Bashir project has failed in spectacular style, England are in desperate need of a spinner.
Alongside his ripping leggies, Ahmed has drastically improved with the bat in recent seasons, scoring five first-class centuries in 2025.
9. Gus Atkinson
Gus Atkinson will surely start the first Test given his record in home conditions.
The Surrey fast bowler was named England Cricketer of the Year in 2024 after a miraculous beginning to his international career.
Making his Test debut at Lord's in 2024, Atkinson etched his name into history by recording the best figures by an England debutant in over 134 years courtesy of his 12/106 against the West Indies.
He didn't stop there either. Atkinson blasted his maiden first-class and Test hundred in that very same summer against Sri Lanka.
10. Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer's fitness issues are well documented but the impact he has on the pitch will surely mean that he will be opening the bowling for England this summer.
His bowling exploits over the winter were some of England's best before injury, yet again, put an end to his series.
Fortunately, this injury isn't too serious and he is expected to play in the T20 World Cup meaning that the summer should be no issue for him.
11. Josh Tongue
18 wickets at an average of 20.11 from just three Ashes Test matches should make Josh Tongue virtually impossible to drop come June.
These kinds of numbers are only a continuation of his excellent form with Tongue's importance also felt throughout last summer.
The Worcestershire man has developed a handy knack of being able to get rid of the tail with minimal fuss, something that England could have done with in the first and second Tests against Australia.
