Cook lines up against Kiwis

Alastair Cook is named in a 12-man Essex squad for the match against New Zealand

England opener Alastair Cook will get a sneak preview of the New Zealand Test side when Essex entertain the tourists this week.

Cook has been named in a 12-man squad for the four-day encounter at Chelmsford, which starts on Friday and represents the Kiwis’ penultimate fixture before the Test series gets under way on May 15.

Cook is joined by Ravi Bopara, who this week outlined his intention to win his place back in the Test side after being dropped for the winter tour of New Zealand.

The all-rounder has scored 499 runs in four competitive innings this season, and is set to line up against the Black Caps at the Rose Bowl next week after being named in the England Lions squad.

Mark Pettini captains a side that includes Maurice Chambers and Tony Palladino. They replace David Masters and Chris Wright, both of whom are rested.

Tim Phillips is absent with a knee injury, while Graham Napier will continue his recovery from a similar problem when he plays for the second XI against Middlesex next week.

First-team coach Coach Paul Grayson said: “Graham needs overs under his belt before he’s ready to return to the first team so if he comes through an appearance in the second XI next week we hope he’ll be available for the Friends Provident Trophy game against Surrey.”

Captain Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor will be available for New Zealand, along with fellow Indian Premier League players Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills, who arrived in England on Tuesday.