ENG vs NZ 2026: England announce much-changed XI for second Test including two debutants

Following the chaos from last week, England have announced a much-changed playing XI ahead of their second Test match against New Zealand at the Oval, which commences on Wednesday, June 17. The Three Lions are 1-0 up in the series after their 115-run victory at Lord’s. 

Following their win at the Home of Cricket, there have been a lot of off-field troubles surrounding the squad involving captain Ben Stokes. The all-rounder, along with Gus Atkinson, broke the team curfew and were caught in a nightclub brawl, which has seen the pair suspended for the Oval Test. This will see Joe Root return as his nation’s Test captain on an interim basis. 

Due to Stokes and Atkinson’s unavailability and Ollie Robinson’s injury, England have been forced into making as many as four changes to their playing XI, which includes handing two debuts to fast bowler Sonny Baker and wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox.

The other two changes see Jofra Archer return to the side after missing the first Test, and Surrey fast bowler Matt Fisher, who has previously played just one Test match back in 2022, makes a comeback to international cricket. England come into the second Test with no frontline spinners in the side due to the nature of the Oval pitch. If needed, Root and Jacob Bethell can play as part-time spinners in the team in place of the benched Shoaib Bashir.

As far as the batting is concerned, there are no drastic changes with Emilio Gay keeping his place in the team after scoring a half-century on his debut at Lord’s. Cox, meanwhile, comes in for the suspended Stokes. 

It is worth mentioning that England could be forced into making one more change ahead of the game on Wednesday. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith’s partner is due to give birth to their second child, with James Rew on standby to replace him if necessary. That could see as many as three debutants for the Three Lions for the Second Test in South London. 

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, Matt Fisher, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker