England have announced their playing XI for the second New Zealand Test at The Oval. Jordan Cox and Jofra Archer have replaced Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, who are currently under investigation and unavailable for selection. Archer was rested for the Lord’s Test to manage his workload, while Cox only came into the squad following Stokes’ nightclub incident.
Jordan Cox to make Test debut
Originally, James Rew was picked as the backup batter. However, the team management views him as cover for the top six. Considering Stokes was batting at seven, the position wouldn’t be a fit for Rew. So, Cox will make his Test debut on June 17.
The wicketkeeper batter just scored a double hundred for Essex in the County Championship against Leicester, and that perhaps tipped the scales in his favour over Rew. Cox was supposed to make his Test debut in 2024, but a thumb injury ruled him out. Rew might also make his Test debut because Jamie Smith has welcomed a second child and might be unavailable for selection.
“James Rew was our back-up batter in the squad, but that was very much to cover the top-six role. Jordan Cox, he obviously was over at the IPL. We wanted to see him come back and see what he could do before we thrust him into that role for the first time.
He scored a double-hundred, which is a pretty compelling case. We think that his power and his rounded game are quite a nice fit at No. 7. We still very much see James Rew as an exciting option for us – and he may even get the nod this week, too – but Coxy’s a fine player. He’s been on our radar for a long time across all formats,” England head coach Brendon McCullum told reporters on June 15.
Fisher & Baker in, Bashir & Robinson out
England is forced to make another change, with Ollie Robinson out of the England vs New Zealand 2nd Test with a knee injury. On June 12, the fast bowler experienced some discomfort while training in Hove. He’s been ruled out. Sonny Baker will replace him, making his Test debut.
The 23-year-old has played just 12 County Championship matches for Hampshire but was earmarked by the England management in 2024. Shoaib Bashir, who didn’t bowl a single over at Lord’s, has been dropped, keeping the conditions at The Oval in mind. Matt Fisher will take his place while returning to the Test side after 4 years.
“He’s (Baker) got good airspeed, he swings the ball, and he’s got great skills. But he charges in, and he’s got wild celebrations, and you can just see that cricket is what he wants to do. I’m excited to see how he goes, and he is very well-planned and very well-prepared, which fits in with what we’re trying to achieve now in this team with some of the shifts we’ve made,” McCullum said.
England’s Playing XI for 2nd New Zealand Test
Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (c), Harry Brook (vc), Jamie Smith (wk)*, Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matt Fisher, Sonny Baker
*James Rew to replace Smith if unavailable on paternity leave
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