England vs New Zealand: James Rowe makes his debut as Jimmy Smith misses the second Test due to the birth of a child
The captain was Ben Stokes and the bowler was Jos Atkinson Make unavailable For the second test after Incident in a nightclub After the first Test, while seamer Ollie Robinson was injured.
As a result of the absences, and to balance the team, England omitted spinner Shoaib Bashir from the XI that won the first Test.
Bowlers Jofra Archer, Matthew Fisher and Baker came in alongside Cox and Rowe.
This is the first time England have made five changes to their squad during a home series since the fourth and final Test against New Zealand in 1999, and is also the last time they faced the Black Caps at The Oval.
Smith (25 years old) missed the tour of New Zealand in 2024 due to the birth of his first child.
On that occasion, Cox was due to stand in for the team, but suffered a broken thumb in the net.
Although Rew was named in the England squad for the first Test, Cox moved ahead of him in the pecking order for the second Test and was selected in the hosts’ XI on Monday.
Rio, who averages almost 42 in first-class cricket and has 12 centuries, spent a long period on Tuesday taking wicket-taking at The Oval with England coach Sarah Taylor.
Although Rew took the gloves in the second Test, he would bat at number six, one place ahead of Cox.
Smith is the second player to welcome a child during this series.
New Zealand opener Devon Conway returned home after New Zealand’s defeat at Lord’s to be at the birth of his child, but has since returned and will play in the second Test.
