Few doubt Robinson’s pedigree as one the premier seamers in the country and his competitiveness will add some much-needed fire to England’s attack.
He was contacted by England management at the beginning of the season and has been given the responsibility of captaining Sussex. Robinson has led his county to three wins from five matches, taking 17 wickets and scoring an impressive century against Surrey on the way.
Robinson joins Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Fisher and 23-year-old Baker in the pace-bowling group. Jofra Archer is at the Indian Premier League and will not be ready until the second of the three Tests, while Brydon Carse is recovering from a broken wrist.
Tongue was impressive during the Ashes, while Atkinson is named despite suffering a concussion inflicted by Tongue during Surrey’s County Championship match at Nottinghamshire at the weekend.
Surrey’s Fisher, 28, was called into the Ashes squad and could add to the one Test cap he won against West Indies in 2022.
Baker is highly talented but endured difficult international debuts in white-ball cricket last year. He is included after a strong start to the season with Hampshire.
Crawley’s absence was inevitable. No opener in Test history has been given as many opportunities at the top of the order as Crawley’s 104 innings while averaging less than his 30.52.
Gay would appear to be in pole position to open alongside Ben Duckett at Lord’s after impressing with three centuries for Durham at the beginning of the season.
If he does, Gay will become a dual international after previously playing three T20s for Italy. He has also turned down an approach from West Indies.
Despite his young age, Rew already has 12 first-class hundreds. Usually at home in the middle order, England have asked him to open for Somerset. When he did so for the first time against Glamorgan in the previous round of the Championship, he was out for four and nought.
It therefore seems likely Rew will have to wait his turn behind the established middle order of Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, captain Stokes and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
England held a review after the Ashes was blighted by poor performances on the field and problems off it. Director of cricket Rob Key, coach McCullum and captain Stokes all kept their jobs.
The squad will assemble for a training camp at Loughborough on 22 May, a week ahead of the first Test.