Episode
Big changes for the England Test team?
- Podcast
- Test Match Special
- Published
- Apr 20, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3183
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0nfl9z8
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Summary
Mark Chapman, Alex Hartley, Steven Finn and, Matt Prior discuss how England’s Test team is shaping up for the summer, the spots up for grabs and, who is best placed to take them. Less than two months to go until England begin their Test summer against New Zealand at Lord’s, by that time it will be nearly five months since Ben Stokes’ side trudged off the SCG having lost the 5th Ashes Test, losing the series 4-1. Who should remain in the side? What are the main positions up for grabs? And is there someone who has done enough to make the step up? They also discuss the new rules around replacing players in the County Championship which has proved controversial so far. TIME CODES 00:00 Intro 06:15 How does selection work? 12:38 Opening batting partnership 16:35 Time for a new opening partnership? 24:37 James Rew and a positional dilemma 27:08 The cricket structure in England 30:31 Jacob Bethell and the Indian Premier League 34:34 Scores in the league 36:17 Favourites in the IPL 36:42 England’s pace bowlers 43:09 Spin bowlers 47:30 County Championship substitutes rule