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England Hand Debuts To Cox And Baker For Second Test Against New Zealand

New Zealand: England have named a refreshed side for the second Test against New Zealand, starting at The Oval on Wednesday, by handing debuts to batter Jordan Cox and fast bowler Sonny Baker. The duo are a part of four changes from the team that won at Lords by 115 runs. Matt Fisher returns for his first Test in more than four years, while Jofra Archer is back to spearhead a fourman pace attack. The wholesale forced changes to Englands playing eleven have come after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were stood down following them breaking the midnight curfew, while Ollie Robinson, who picked seven wickets on return to the Test team at Lords, has been ruled out due to a right knee soreness. Shoaib Bashir also misses out as England opted against a specialist spinner, with Joe Root set to captain in Stokes absence. Jamie Smith retains his place behind the stumps, though Somersets James Rew has been placed on standby, with the formers partner due to give birth to their second child. Cox, 23, comes into the side after hitting a doublehundred for Essex in the County Championship. He was previously denied a debut in New Zealand in 2024 after breaking his thumb in practice. Baker, who has played just 12 firstclass matches, has long been on Englands radar and featured for the Lions in Australia, though he had difficult ODI and T20I debuts. Shoaib Bashir also misses out as England opted against a specialist spinner, with Joe Root set to captain in Stokes absence. Jamie Smith retains his place behind the stumps, though Somersets James Rew has been placed on standby, with the formers partner due to give birth to their second child. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England playing eleven for second Test: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (captain), Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher, and Sonny Baker Article Source: IANS

15 Jun 2026 7:38 pm