England will line up at The Oval with three new caps and five overall changes after James Rew was drafted in for the second Test against New Zealand. Jamie Smith is at home on paternity leave after his partner, Kate, gave birth early on Tuesday.
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the late switch on Tuesday evening, saying: “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. Smith has been withdrawn from the Test match following the birth of his second child earlier today, enabling him to remain with his partner and family.”
Rew, 22, will keep wicket and bat at No. 6, while fellow debutants Jordan Cox (No. 7) and fast bowler Sonny Baker also come in. Quick bowlers Jofra Archer and Matthew Fisher complete the quintet of changes from the side that won at Lord’s last week.
Key ins and outs
• In: Rew, Cox, Baker, Archer, Fisher
• Out: Smith (paternity), Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson (disciplinary), Ollie Robinson (injury), Shoaib Bashir (tactical balance)
Rew’s road to a cap
Since the start of the 2023 County Championship, only Dom Sibley and Joe Clarke have scored more Division One runs. Rew has piled up 11 hundreds in that period, built on what he once called his strength of “trying to make it really hard for [teams] to get me out.” He added last season: “I’m not necessarily as destructive as a lot of modern-day players.”
Somerset have helped him broaden his range – he forced his way into their T20 side last summer – but his calling card remains long, stubborn innings. Selectors note that resilience as England look for a reliable presence in the middle order.
The family thread continues: younger brother Thomas captained England to the Under-19 World Cup final this year and reached three figures for Somerset against Nottinghamshire only this week.
Experience in short supply
Joe Root shoulders 164 of the 281 Test caps available in the XI and tops both the side’s run-scoring and wicket-taking charts. Alongside the three debutants, Emilio Gay and Fisher own a single cap each, underlining the rawness of the group.
“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, so it’s a nice position to be in: 1-0 up in the series, and a great opportunity ahead this week to hopefully go and win a series.”
Opposition check
New Zealand are set to tweak their line-up only slightly. Henry Nicholls is tipped to return at No. 3 after Kane Williamson’s sudden mid-series retirement, and Matt Henry appears ready after coming through Tuesday’s training without trouble.
Selection talking points
• Stokes and Atkinson were sidelined after what team management called “internal disciplinary matters.” Details are scarce, but Root insisted the focus is now on the players available.
• Robinson’s back flare-up ruled him out; medical staff say he should resume bowling in ten days.
• Bashir’s omission allows room for an extra seamer on what is usually an Oval surface offering early bounce but flattening into a batting track by day three.
England XI
1 Ben Duckett, 2 Emilio Gay, 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Joe Root (capt), 5 Harry Brook, 6 James Rew (wk), 7 Jordan Cox, 8 Jofra Archer, 9 Matthew Fisher, 10 Sonny Baker, 11 Tom Hartley.
Hartley listed as the sole spinner; Bashir travels as cover.
What to watch
Archer’s return gives England genuine pace – if his elbow holds up. Baker offers lively speed too, but his control at Test level is untested. How Root juggles two quicks still easing back from injuries, plus a rookie gloveman, could decide whether England seal the series or leave it alive heading to Trent Bridge.
Either way, Rew’s debut comes earlier than planned, but after 18 months of relentless county runs, no one can say he has not earned the chance.
