England recall Stuart Broad and James Anderson for Test series against New Zealand
James Anderson and Stuart Broad returned to the England Test squad on Wednesday for the first two Tests against New Zealand next month. The three-match home series will mark the beginning of Ben Stokes' tenure as England's Test captain and will be the first assignment of their newly-appointed red-ball coach and former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum. Anderson and Broad, first and second on England's all-time list of Test wicket takers with 1,177 between them, were omitted from the three-match series in West Indies where the team lost 1-0 and eventually led to Joe Root's resignation as the captain. Anderson said the snub prompted him to consider retirement. "This is the start of a new era for our Test team under the stewardship of Ben and Brendon," managing director Rob Key said in a statement issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board. "With a blend of youth and experience, we have selected an exciting squad that can compete with New Zealand in next month's Test series."