England have handed debuts to Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker for Wednesday’s second Test against New Zealand, while James Rew could also make his first appearance in the Oval clash.
Despite winning the first Test at Lord’s, England selectors have been forced to make a host of changes just over a week later.
Captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were left out of the England squad after breaching the team’s midnight curfew while celebrate the Lord’s victory.
Pace bowler Ollie Robinson, who took seven wickets at Lord’s, has pulled out due to a knee injury, while Rew is ready to step in if wicketkeeper Jamie Smith’s partner gives birth in the next couple of days.
Fresh from scoring 204 for Essex in his first County Championship outing for 11 months, Cox has been drafted in for Stokes.
Baker bolsters the pace attack alongside Jofra Archer, who missed the first Test due to his IPL commitments with Rajasthan Royals.
England coach McCullum ‘worried’ about Stokes
Fast bowler Matthew Fisher was also included for his second Test appearance – his first in more than four years – as spinner Shoaib Bashir dropped out.
Joe Root will captain England, more than four years after being replaced in the role by Stokes.
Root got the nod to take over from Stokes on a temporary basis instead of vice-captain Harry Brook.
Brook was involved in an altercation outside a nightclub in Wellington before a one-day international against New Zealand in October.
“It became pretty obvious that after talking to both Joe and Harry, that Joe was the right person to do it,” England head coach Brendon McCullum said.
“He’s actually excited, because while he gave it everything he could last time around, he feels he’s in a much better place now to be able to do that job.
“There’s been a few changes. Whilst there’s been a bit of chaos and it’s been difficult to navigate through the week, I look at that line-up we have this week and it’s super exciting.
“I’m quietly confident we’re going to see some exciting cricket.”
ENGLAND – Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (c), Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (or James Rew), Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher, Sonny Baker
— AFP
Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
