England has confirmed that batter Jordan Cox and fast bowler Sonny Baker will make their Test debuts in the second match of the series against New Zealand, starting Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The match, part of the ICC World Test Championship, will be held at The Kia Oval in London.
Interim captain Joe Root will lead a significantly reshaped playing XI following disciplinary issues and injury concerns within the squad.
The selection of Essex batter Jordan Cox and Hampshire pacer Sonny Baker comes as England seeks to build on a 1-0 series lead. Jordan Cox, 25, earns his cap after previous injuries during tours of New Zealand and Zimbabwe delayed his debut.
Sonny Baker, 23, enters the side with 22 wickets from six matches this year, including a background in white-ball cricket for England in 2025.
Disciplinary breaches have forced several of these changes. Captain Ben Stokes and pacer Gus Atkinson were ruled out of selection after breaking team protocols by staying out past a midnight curfew during celebrations following the first Test victory at Lord’s.
The absence of the regular skipper places Joe Root in charge of an experimental lineup that also faces the loss of bowler Ollie Robinson due to knee soreness.
Personnel shifts and the return of Jofra Archer
The bowling department features a major overhaul for the London fixture. Most notably, England welcomes back Jofra Archer, who was rested for the series opener following an intensive period that included the Ashes, the T20 World Cup, and the IPL. His return provides high-end pace for a seam attack that must now operate without specialist spinner Shoaib Bashir, who was dropped for this match.
Matthew Fisher also returns to the starting XI for the first time in four years, joining Josh Tongue and Jofra Archer in a four-pronged seam attack. This tactical shift places the spin duties onto Joe Root and Jacob Bethell if required. The coaching staff has shown clear confidence in the com/latest-sport-news-updates-miami-open-world-cup-aintree-2026/”>latest sport news updates regarding the squad’s depth, with Henry Crocombe also added as cover for the injured Ollie Robinson.
England head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed that Jordan Cox will bat in the lower-order, taking the spot vacated by Ben Stokes.
McCullum noted that while James Rew was the backup for the top six, the staff wanted to see what Jordan Cox could do after returning from his stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. Jordan Cox was recently a high-value acquisition in the 2026 IPL auction, fetching INR 75 Lakh.
Wicketkeeping standby and New Zealand adjustments
While the XI has been named, one potential change remains on the horizon. Jamie Smith is currently set to keep wicket, but James Rew is on standby to make his own Test debut if Jamie Smith becomes unavailable. This contingency is in place due to Jamie Smith’s partner’s pregnancy with their second child, which may require the wicketkeeper to take paternity leave at short notice.
New Zealand faces its own selection dilemmas following the sudden retirement of Kane Williamson. Although their final XI is not yet confirmed, Rachin Ravindra is expected to move to the number four position. The Black Caps may turn to Henry Nicholls or Will Young to bolster a batting order that struggled during the 115-run defeat in the first Test.
The venue provides a historic shift in timing, as this is the first June Test at The Kia Oval since 1999. The traditional late-summer slot has been bypassed for this encounter, with tickets available from £25.00 for fans wishing to attend. As the 2026 season preview trends across various sports show a lean toward youth, England’s inclusion of two debutants mirrors this broader movement.
Confirmed England XI for Second Test vs New Zealand
- Emilio Gay
- Ben Duckett
- Jacob Bethell
- Joe Root (c)
- Harry Brook
- Jamie Smith (wk)*
- Jordan Cox
- Jofra Archer
- Josh Tongue
- Matt Fisher
- Sonny Baker
*James Rew will replace Jamie Smith if the latter goes on paternity leave. Play is scheduled to begin daily at 11:00 AM, with the match running from Wednesday until Sunday, June 21.
