Uncapped wicketkeeper James Rew is set to make his Test debut this Wednesday at The Kia Oval against New Zealand, stepping in after Jamie Smith withdrew from the squad to attend the birth of his second child. Rew enters the starting XI during a frantic reshuffle that leaves the home team entirely transformed just days after winning the first Test at Lord’s by 115 runs.
The roster changes arrive during a chaotic week for Brendon McCullum’s squad, a situation the head coach called “difficult to navigate” ahead of Wednesday’s start. Regular captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were removed from the playing XI entirely following a midnight curfew breach in London as they celebrated the Lord’s victory.
The absences force Joe Root back into the temporary captaincy for the first time since formally handing the role to Stokes in 2022, while pacing debuts for Sonny Baker and Jordan Cox fill the remaining holes in the order. Cox will slide in at number seven to replace Stokes.
England is also navigating physical setbacks in their bowling attack. Fast bowler Ollie Robinson, who took seven wickets in the first Test, pulled out of the upcoming match with a knee injury. To compensate, Jofra Archer returns to the red-ball side following his recent IPL stint. Matthew Fisher also rejoins the playing XI, marking his first Test appearance for England in over four years.