England head coach Chris Silverwood believes Sussex Seamer Ollie Robinson deserves his first test call-up for their test series against New Zealand, which begins next month.

The 27-year-old has made an impressive start to the season taking 29 wickets in the LV=County Championship average of 14.

That puts him third on the list of the leading wicket-takers in the County Championship with only Somerset's Craig Overton (32) and Essex's Simon Harmer (34) have taken more.

Robinson is no stranger to the England set-up, having toured as reserves during England’s winter Test programmes in Sri Lanka and India.

He is joined in the squad by Gloucestershire's James Bracey, who is also included in Silverwood's 15-player contingent for the first time.

But Silverwood admits the pair deserved to be rewarded for their performances so far this season.

He said: “James Bracey and Ollie Robinson deserve their call ups to the Test squad.

"They have been consistent performers in the County Championship this season and over the past 18 months, have excelled for the Lions on the field and in the various camps they have been involved in. 

“Having spent all winter and last summer in the company of our established Test players, they have immersed themselves in preparing and understanding what it takes to play at this level.

"The environment and culture will be something they are used to, and should they be in a position to make their Test debuts, they will be ready to showcase their skills. 

“They are both resilient characters and have demonstrated to me, the captain and coaches that they have the desire, temperament and the ability to continually improve to give themselves every chance of succeeding on the international stage.”

Fellows Sussex seamer Jofra Archer, who played in their draw with Kent last week was not considered for selection, and is set to meet with a medical consultant later this week to determine the seriousness of his right elbow soreness.  But Silverwood has insisted England want to sort the problem out and have Archer available for a busy winter.

He said: “Jofra is to see a consultant this week to understand the severity of his right elbow injury. He struggled in Sussex’s Championship fixture last week and he wasn’t able to bowl on the final two days of the match.

"We need to get this resolved once and for all to give him the best chance of being fully fit as we build up to an intense winter, which will include a T20 World Cup and the Ashes. We need him firing in all formats of the game."

England squad to face New Zealand: Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain, James Anderson (Lancashire), James Bracey (Gloucestershire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Zak Crawley (Kent) , Ben Foakes (Surrey), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Jack Leach (Somerset), Craig Overton (Somerset), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Olly Stone (Warwickshire),Mark Wood (Durham)