With Jason Roy missing the series opener due to a back spasm and Jonny Bairstow rested because of a painful shoulder, England took the opportunity to look at a different batting order. England have only three more matches before they have to name their final World Cup squad of 15 on September 28 and are keen to include Harry Brook. That means leaving out one of the already named squad and this series against New Zealand could be seen as a shoot-out between Roy, Dawid Malan, Liam Livingstone and Brook for three places. England may, however, be tempted to omit one of the six seam bowlers they have already named and could instead take one or two as travelling reserves who can slot in should
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