Picking an XI to Beat the Current England Side Who are Not in the Squad

Have England picked their best team for the opening Test of the summer against New Zealand? We've chosen an alternative XI who have what it takes to beat the side chosen for Lord's.

When recovered from his recent calf injury, Kevin Pietersen could certainly spice up the current England setup. Spin and pace bowling places are up for grabs too, as is the opening batsman slot.

Our team is made up of old sweats desperate for a return to the international game, consistent county performers and some of England's rising stars.

We think they'd give Alastair Cook's side a good game.

Stats are from ESPNcricinfo.

Our team contains a blend of youth and experience. From veterans looking to regain a foothold in the Test ranks to novices still making their way in the game.

Recent form has been a factor, as has the raw talent at their disposal.

Where it was toss up between a veteran and a novice, we've opted for the latter, keeping one eye on the future.

A criticism of the current Test squad is that they lack flair. Our selection has arguably gone too far in the other direction. It's full of dashers and fiery bowlers. They may not be consistent but will be worth watching.

Selection was open to anyone who hasn't yet retired from the Test game. Short-term injuries, such as the one suffered by Kevin Pietersen, have been ignored.

A number of notable names didn't quite make the cut in our alternative XI. Chief among them were Middlesex batsmen Nick Compton and Sam Robson.

Other experienced players who just missed out included spinner James Tredwell, all-rounder Ravi Bopara, one-day skipper Eoin Morgan and fellow Irishman Boyd Rankin.

County stars who could easily have been picked but weren't include Warwickshire's Keith Barker, Middlesex seamer James Harris and Yorkshire's Jack Brooks.

It was also just a little too early for Tymal Mills and Jamie Overton.

With two centuries in his first three County Championship matches this season, Varun Chopra is in excellent touch.

The Warwickshire opener has thrived since arriving at Edgbaston and been rewarded with the club captaincy following the retirement of Jim Troughton.

His attacking style would prove a nice complement to the steadier presence we've selected as his opening partner.

Australia found stability at the top of the order by recalling an experienced opener who hadn't prospered in his first taste of Test cricket. England should do the same.

For Australia it was Chris Rogers, for England it could be Michael Carberry. The Hampshire opener showed he had the courage and technique to take on the Australian quicks on England's disastrous 2013/14 Ashes tour. All that was missing was a really big score.

Surprisingly overlooked since then, the 34-year-old deserves another crack at the big time.

If the England management were serious about playing a bold, attacking style of cricket they'd have picked Alex Hales.

The Nottinghamshire batsman has been in fine touch this season batting at No. 3. Hales followed a career-best innings of 236 against Yorkshire with 141 and 94 against Hampshire a game later.

Critics say that Hales doesn't have the technique to succeed at the highest level. Similar charges were levelled against David Warner at the start of his career. That hasn't gone too badly for the Aussies.

If team selection was based purely on ability and form then Kevin Pietersen would surely be facing New Zealand this week (injury permitting).

KP's problems with the England management are of course extremely well documented. He remains one of the finest batsmen in the game when in the mood and possesses a star power lacking in the current England setup.

High maintenance he may be, but KP makes the cut in our XI.

With KP out of the reckoning, James Taylor appears to be the next cab off the England middle-order rank.

Taylor has been a consistent performer in all forms of the game and showed his class during the World Cup with an impressive 98 against Australia.

A one-day call appears most likely, but he could yet break into the five-day reckoning during what promises to be a long summer.

One fine knock against South Africa aside, England followers haven't seen the best of Jonny Bairstow in the Test arena. He remains one of the most dangerous batsmen on the county circuit, though.

It's easy to forget that the Yorkshire wicketkeeper is just 25. There's still plenty of time for him to enjoy a fine international career.

If Jos Buttler gets injured, Bairstow is a capable deputy.

After a disappointing tour of the West Indies, where he was little more than a drinks-carrier, Adil Rashid bounced back in his 2015 County Championship debut.

The 27-year-old enjoyed match figures of eight for 118 as Yorkshire beat Hampshire by 305 runs.

England are desperate for a bowler with a bit of mystery and Rashid can provide that. Yes he bowls too many half-trackers. He also has a happy knack for taking wickets. And he can bat.

Rashid is certainly no Shane Warne. However, if he's better than Ian Salisbury, England will be satisfied.

With the possible exception of the 1980s vintage West Indies, every side needs a solid and reliable bowler who won't let the captain down. Tim Bresnan is England's “Steady Eddie.”

He's been around so long, it's hard to believe he's only 30. The Yorshireman's Test record is pretty handy too. In 23 appearances Bresnan has taken 72 wickets at an average of 32.73 and scored 575 runs at 26.13.

He may not win you many matches, but he certainly won't let anyone down.

England don't have anyone capable of matching Adam Milne let alone Mitchell Johnson on the speed gun. If conditions suit, though, Liam Plunkett can give our Antipodean cousins a little taste of their own medicine.

Plunkett was last seen in Test colours against India a year ago. Forced to bowl on two of the deadest pitches imaginable he understandably struggled.

If there is any pace in the wickets this summer, the 30-year-old must come into the reckoning.

If England think that swing is the key to international success this summer then they could do worse than look in Ajmal Shahzad's direction.

The 29-year-old has found his mojo again in Sussex and has enjoyed a fine start to the season.

Capable of swinging the ball at a decent pace, he could be a nice complement to James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

England have been crying out for a left-arm seamer, so it's no surprise they're taking a closer look at Mark Footitt.

The Derbyshire quick topped the Division Two averages last season and already has 20 wickets to his name this time round.

One man who has been impressed by Footitt is Mark Butcher. The former England opener told the Derby Telegraph, "With left-arm quick bowlers being all the rage, there are a couple of those guys to watch this year and Mark Footitt is one. The two or three times I saw him last summer, he was very, very lively indeed."

The 29-year-old has been working with the Test squad in the run-up to this week's series opener at Lord's. He's certainly one to keep an eye on this summer.