Essex batter Jordan Cox and Hampshire fast bowler Sonny Baker are confirmed to make their England Test debuts in the highly anticipated second match against New Zealand, commencing on Wednesday at The Oval. The duo's inclusion reflects a period of significant change and challenge for the England setup, marked by a spate of injuries and disciplinary actions that have disrupted the squad.
The team selection sees further alterations, with Surrey bowler Matthew Fisher set to earn his second Test cap, more than four years after his initial appearance. Adding to the list of returns, Jofra Archer will feature for England for the first time this summer, providing a much-needed boost to the bowling attack amidst the ongoing turbulence. The 'chaos', as coach Brendon McCullum described it, has been exacerbated by the absence of Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, who have been omitted from the squad pending an investigation into an incident at a London nightclub last week, where they reportedly broke the team's midnight curfew.
Jordan Cox's Test debut has been a long time coming. He was in line to play in New Zealand in 2024 but suffered a broken thumb during the build-up. After missing the start of the English season due to his commitments in the Indian Premier League, Cox demonstrated his red-ball credentials with a formidable 204 runs from 201 balls for Essex against Leicestershire over the past weekend. McCullum highlighted Cox's 'power and his rounded game' as key factors in his selection at number seven in Stokes' absence, preferring him over Somerset's James Rew, who is considered more of a top-six batter and is on standby should wicketkeeper Jamie Smith be unavailable due to the impending birth of his second child.
For Sonny Baker, a bustling fast bowler capable of reaching speeds close to 90mph, this Test opportunity follows a challenging introduction to international white-ball cricket last year. Despite difficult 50-over and T20 international debuts, Baker has impressed in the County Championship this season, taking 22 wickets in six matches. McCullum expressed confidence in Baker, drawing parallels to Mark Wood: "I think the country is going to be behind him because he plays games a little bit like Mark Wood. He's got good air speed, he swings the ball, he's got great skills, but he charges in and he's got wild celebrations and you can just see that cricket is what he wants to do."
Adding to the bowling reshuffle, Ollie Robinson, who made a remarkable return in the first Test with seven wickets, is sidelined with soreness in his right knee. Baker steps in for Shoaib Bashir, with England opting against including a specialist spinner in their XI for The Oval. Joe Root will captain the side in the absence of Ben Stokes, a decision McCullum revealed was 'collaborative' and had the backing of vice-captain Harry Brook, who believed Root was the 'right person to do it' despite his own captaincy experience.
The full England XI for the second Test is: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (capt), Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher, Sonny Baker. Despite the 'chaos', McCullum remains confident: "I look at that line-up we have this week and it's super exciting. It doesn't guarantee us success but it's a first real test of where we're at. I'm quietly confident we're going to see some exciting cricket."
Source: UKPulse Media Research