Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley revel in maiden England Test call-ups

Both players are included in the squad for the first time for the two-Test series in New Zealand following their impressive County Championship form

England new boys Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley have each spoken of their delight after being handed their maiden Test call-ups for the Test series against New Zealand in November and December.

The openers are among seven new faces who will travel for the five T20s and two Tests after impressing in the County Championship.

Warwickshire's Sibley is the highest run-scorer in county cricket this season while Crawley has struck two first class centuries and five fifties for Kent in 2019.

Sibley is the most likely candidate to partner Rory Burns at the top of the batting order when the series gets underway at The Bay Oval on November 20.

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"There have been a few articles written in the last few days and my friends and family have been saying 'oh, you're picked' but until you get that confirmation you can't think about it too much," he told the media. "So it's a thrill to have it confirmed and to be going away with England to New Zealand is really pleasing. We'll see how it goes out there and hopefully, I will get a Test match.

"I have been pleased with my consistency. It has been down to a combination of a few things - a few changes technically and, to an extent, taking responsibility because we have had a few younger lads in the Warwickshire batting line-up. With batting, it is just a case of getting in the groove and on a roll and I have done that.

"Rory Burns has scored runs in championship cricket over the years and he got his chance so that showed what can happen. I made my Surrey second-team debut opening with Rory and made my first-team debut with him and he is a good mate so it will be great to be alongside him in the England squad."

^{Ed Smith has selected a much-changed squad following the drawn Ashes series}

On the day of Crawley's call-up he made his fifth single-figure score in the last seven innings with a two-ball duck against Hampshire on day one of their final County Championship game of the season at Canterbury.

But the 21-year-old's plight could not overshadow a momentous moment in his career.

"I saw the phone ring and wasn’t quite sure what the news was going to be, I thought maybe a Lions tour or something like that, but I was over the moon to find out it was a full England call-up," he said.

"It was an amazing phone call to get. Once he said I was picked in the full squad I kind of zoned out for a few seconds and wasn’t totally sure what he was saying for a moment, but (chief-selector) Ed (Smith) was very positive and I can’t wait to get going.

"Ed went to the same school as me [Tonbridge] and they have a board up there for ‘old boys’ who go on to play for England, so I’m hoping to get my name up there alongside Ed."