London, April 5 -- Ben Stokes, captain of England's men's Test team, has identified the country's ongoing domestic red-ball season as the key route for players aiming to earn a national call-up, especially in Test, as England gear up for a highly anticipated home summer. Stokes said that the ongoing County Championship season is "a great opportunity" for cricketers around the country, according to the ICC website.

England will host New Zealand for three Tests in June and will then also have Pakistan touring the country in August, for three Tests. Apart from the Tests, England will also host India for five T20Is and three ODIs in July. They will also host Sri Lanka for three T20Is and three ODIs in September.

Ben Stokes said the domestic...