England make five changes in playing XI for second New Zealand Test

LONDON: England have announced five changes to their playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, with Somerset wicketkeeper-batter James Rew set to make his Test debut after Jamie Smith withdrew on paternity leave.

Smith will miss the match following the birth of his second child on Tuesday. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the wicketkeeper-batter had been released from the squad to remain with his family.

“Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter James Rew has been called into the England Men’s XI for the second Rothesay Test against New Zealand in place of Jamie Smith,” the ECB said in a statement.

“Smith has been withdrawn from the Test match following the birth of his second child earlier today, enabling him to remain with his partner and family,” the statement added.

The 22-year-old will bat at No. 6 and take over wicketkeeping duties. He has established himself as one of the most prolific performers in county cricket, scoring 11 County Championship centuries since the start of the 2023 season.

Only Dom Sibley and Joe Clarke have scored more Division One runs during that period.

Known for his resilience at the crease, Rew has also expanded his white-ball game over the past year, earning a place in Somerset’s T20 side and impressing with his performances at the start of the current Championship campaign.

His younger brother, Thomas Rew, is also regarded as one of England’s brightest prospects after captaining the national Under-19 side to this year’s World Cup final and registering his maiden first-class century earlier this week.

Rew will be joined by Jordan Cox and fast bowler Sonny Baker in making their Test debuts. England have also recalled Jofra Archer and Matthew Fisher as part of a significantly reshaped side.

The changes come with Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson unavailable due to disciplinary reasons, Ollie Robinson sidelined through injury, Smith absent on paternity leave, and spinner Shoaib Bashir omitted as England seek greater balance in their XI.

It marks the first time since July 2017 that England have fielded three debutants in the same men’s Test side. On that occasion, Dawid Malan, Toby Roland-Jones and Tom Westley made their debuts against South Africa, also at The Oval.

The match will also be notable for England fielding five players with no more than one previous Test cap for the first time since the 1993 Headingley Test against Australia.

In the absence of Stokes, Joe Root will captain the side. The former skipper brings vast experience to an otherwise youthful team, accounting for 164 of the 281 Test caps held collectively by the XI.

“It’s a very exciting team,” Root said. “There’s a lot of youth, a lot of guys at the start of their journey, and whenever someone comes into Test cricket, that brings a lot of energy to the squad. It’s a nice position to be in, 1-0 up in the series, and a great opportunity this week to hopefully go and win the series.”

New Zealand are expected to make just one change, with Henry Nicholls likely to return at No. 3 following Kane Williamson’s surprise mid-series retirement. Fast bowler Matt Henry is also expected to be available after coming through training without any issues on Tuesday.

England Playing XI For Second New Zealand Test: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (c), Harry Brook, James Rew (wk), Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Matthew Fisher, Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker.