YORKSHIRE opener Adam Lyth is targeting a maiden Ashes appearance as he prepares to make his England Test debut against New Zealand at Lord's on Thursday.

Lyth has been selected in England's 12-man squad for the first of two Tests against the resurgent Kiwis. It is the first of seven Tests this summer, with Australia lying in wait at the start of July.

The 27-year-old left-hander joins county colleagues Joe Root, England's new vice-captain, and Gary Ballance in a squad which also includes Durham seamer Mark Wood for the first time.

Lyth was a non-playing squad member on the recent tour of the Caribbean, but Jonathan Trott was preferred as Alastair Cook's opening partner.

Trott has since retired following a run of low scores, leaving the door open for Lyth to impress ahead of the Ashes.

"I'll take one game at a time," said Lyth. "It will be a challenge against a very good New Zealand side, but hopefully I'll be in the team for a long period. "I'd love to play in an Ashes series, so that's at the back of my mind.

"I'm over the moon. I'm very excited and I'm sure there will be a lot of nerves come Wednesday night.

"But I'm just looking forward to the challenge and walking out with Alastair Cook on Thursday or whenever that comes. It will be one of the proudest moments of my life.

"It was great to get the experience and be on that trip (to the Caribbean). Obviously I was disappointed I didn't play, but now I get my chance at Lord's. There's no better place to go and make your debut.

"I'm looking forward to getting down there and getting some runs in front of a packed house, which would be fantastic."

England squad for First Test v New Zealand: Cook (captain), Lyth, Ballance, Bell, Root, Ali, Stokes, Buttler, Jordan, Broad, Anderson, Wood.