Brendon McCullum has handed Jacob Bethell and Jordan Cox their first England Test call-ups, while Jamie Smith is out of the three-match series against New Zealand in November.

Bethell made his first England appearances this summer, featuring in five one-day internationals as well as two T20s against Australia.

Bethell has yet to register a century and holds a batting average of 25.44, but made an impressive start to life in an England shirt in the summer’s T20I and ODI action – also providing variation with left-arm spin.

Meanwhile, Cox is set to deputise for the absent Smith, who will miss the series in order to attend the birth of his first child.

The debutant has appeared in two T20s while also being the back-up batter and keeper in the Test squad since England’s series against Sri Lanka in the summer.

McCullum has opted to retain the experience of Ollie Pope as vice-captain despite a disappointing average of 11 in the defeat to Pakistan earlier this month.

“We know when Popey gets in he gets big scores. It is not an easy place to bat at No. 3,” McCullum said after the loss in Pakistan.

“I know Popey will be disappointed with the volume of runs he has got. I expect him to bounce back in New Zealand, and we will make sure he has the support around him to do so.”

Elsewhere, Ben Stokes came through unscathed in his return from injury during the second Test in Pakistan – captaining the side for their showdown with New Zealand.

The inclusion of Shoaib Bashir, Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed provides McCullum’s side with three front-line spinners, as England look to close out their final series of the World Test Championship cycle in style, despite being unable to qualify for the final.

England and New Zealand will meet for the first Test in Christchurch on November 28, with the second Test scheduled to commence on December 6 in Wellington.

Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Bryson Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.