England's New Look
England Announces Four Oval Test Changes, Cox and Baker Debut, Root Takes Interim Captaincy
Key Points
Jordan Cox’s selection is tied to a big County Championship return: he scored a “brilliant 204 for Essex” in his first Championship match in 11 months—prompting England to draft him into the No. 7 spot for the Oval Test.
Cox’s path to this Test has included a previous near-miss: England had been ready to give him a Test opportunity in New Zealand in late 2024, but “a broken thumb in the nets ended that prospect,” when wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was away on paternity leave.
England’s interim-captaincy decision came with endorsement from coach Brendon McCullum: he said it “became pretty obvious that after talking to both Joe and Harry, that Joe was the right person,” adding Root “feels he’s in a much better place now to be able to do that job.”
James Rew is not just batting cover: one report notes he “could also make his debut” in the second Test, with the contingency that “Rew would step in if regular keeper Jamie Smith leaves on paternity leave” in the following days.
Beyond being dropped for the Oval Test, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were also described as likely to miss the rest of the series: one report says neither is “expected to play in the remaining matches of the series” after the ECB probe into the nightclub incident.
England have named Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker for their Test debuts in the second match against New Zealand at The Oval, starting Wednesday. Joe Root steps in as interim captain after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were left out following an ECB probe into a nightclub incident that head coach Brendon McCullum called a week of "chaos." PerthNow reported the side could debut three players if wicketkeeper James Rew is also called up.
England lead the series 1-0 after a 115-run win at Lord's. But four changes — driven by discipline, injury, and a stunning double-century — have reshaped the XI almost beyond recognition.
Stokes and Atkinson Dropped After Nightclub Breach
In the early hours of June 8 — the morning after the Lord's victory — Stokes and Atkinson were involved in a London nightclub incident. An ECB security guard required stitches after a punch intended for Atkinson struck him instead, according to The Telegraph. The ECB opened a formal investigation into a "breach of team protocols" by June 9.
The fallout was swift. Both men were omitted from the Oval squad. France 24 reported that neither Stokes nor Atkinson is expected to play in any remaining match of the series. The incident comes after the ECB reinstated a midnight curfew following white-ball captain Harry Brook's own scuffle with a bouncer in Wellington in October 2025.
Cox's 204 for Essex Earns Him a Long-Awaited Cap
Jordan Cox had to wait a long time for this moment. England had been ready to give him a debut in New Zealand in late 2024, but a broken thumb in the nets ended that chance. Fast-forward to June 2026: Cox scored a brilliant 204 for Essex against Leicestershire — his first County Championship match in 11 months. The ECB pulled him out of the match the very next day to join the Test squad.
Cox slides into the No. 7 batting slot vacated by Stokes. Sonny Baker, the Hampshire fast bowler described by Wisden as possessing "express pace," replaces Atkinson in the attack. Together they bring fresh energy to a reshuffled lineup that also features Jofra Archer returning after being rested at Lord's.
Root Returns as Captain — And Says He Is Ready
Joe Root takes the armband as interim captain, chosen over vice-captain Harry Brook. McCullum said the decision was clear after speaking to both men. "It became pretty obvious that after talking to both Joe and Harry, that Joe was the right person," McCullum told Cricket.com.au. "He feels he's in a much better place now to be able to do that job."
Root previously captained England for five years before Stokes took over. His return is seen as a stabilising move during a turbulent week. Meanwhile, Ollie Robinson — who took seven wickets at Lord's — is ruled out with a right knee injury, adding a fifth change to the side. That is the most alterations between Tests since 1986, according to Wisden.
England Could Field Three Debutants If Smith Leaves
Somerset's James Rew is on standby as wicketkeeping cover. Regular keeper Jamie Smith is expecting the birth of his second child. RFI noted that Rew "could also make his debut" in the second Test if Smith departs during the match. Debuting three players in one Test would be rare in the modern era.
England's all-pace attack — with Baker, Archer, Fisher and no specialist spinner — has already drawn scrutiny. Shoaib Bashir was dropped entirely. Sky Sports analysts questioned whether removing Bashir is a gamble if The Oval pitch offers turn. McCullum, however, called the new-look lineup "super exciting" despite the chaos surrounding it.
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