Joe Root’s first act back in the captain’s blazer was to win the toss – and, on a grey, sticky morning at The Oval, he had little hesitation in sending New Zealand in. The start had been nudged back half-an-hour by drizzle, the pitch carried a light sheen of green, and England, after a hectic week, simply fancied getting on with it.
Root explained the thinking crisply. “There’s a huge amount of skill and excitement around what they can deliver,” he said of Jordan Cox, James Rew and Sonny Baker, the three debutants pressed into service after Jamie Smith headed home for the birth of his daughter. With Emilio Gay and Matt Fisher still new to this level, England field five players of one cap or fewer – something not seen since the 1993 Ashes.
Tom Latham admitted he would have done the same had the coin fallen his way, but added: “It looks a good surface, hopefully we can start well.” His side show one expected change: Henry Nicholls steps in at No. 3 for the freshly retired Kane Williamson. Nicholls’ Test opportunities have been scarce since late 2023, although he did sign off last time with an unbeaten 150.
“It’s been an emotional week since we got the news, he leaves a fantastic legacy for the group,” Latham reflected on Williamson. “Disappointed not to have him here now but we understand his decision.”
England’s reshuffle extends beyond personnel. With Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson stood down for disciplinary reasons, Root takes the reins as “interim” skipper for the first time since Grenada, April 2022. None of that XI remain. The recall brings fresh eyeballs to an England side also welcoming back Jofra Archer, fully fit at last and raring to share the new ball.
Conditions may aid the bowlers early on, yet recent Oval strips have flattened out. Root, though, preferred to trust his young attack and let the batting group settle second. A sensible, unspectacular call.
Line-ups
England: Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (capt), Harry Brook, James Rew (wk), Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matt Fisher, Sonny Baker.
New Zealand: Tom Latham (capt), Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke, Matt Henry.
Key points at the start
• Root wins the toss, bowls first.
• Three England debuts: Cox, Rew, Baker.
• Nicholls replaces Williamson for New Zealand.
• Muggy skies, delayed start, hint of grass on the pitch.
Plenty for both captains to juggle, plenty of narratives bubbling away, but the immediate task is straightforward: exploit the early movement, settle those nerves, and hope the London cloud cover hangs around just a touch longer.
