England v New Zealand 2026 Test Match Series

England XI 2nd Test
1, Duckett, 2. Gay, 3. Bethell, 4. Root ©, 5. Brook, 6. Smith (wk), 7. Cox, 8. Archer, 9. Tongue, 10, Fisher, 11. Baker

*Subject to paternity leave - James Rew to play & keep wicket if Jamie Smith is unavailable.

I was begining to think that you were making these players up.
So I looked up Sonny Baker and James Rew, and they probably deserve a chance in the England team.

It's quite an exciting XI, but I'm a little concerned if a bowler goes down in injured, Root will have enough on his plate without having to bowl, Bethell could be used as a slow bowling option.
Rew is famous for being the youngest Englishman (21) to score 10 first class centuries since Dennis Compton in 1939. He looks like a proper Test Match batsman, his younger brother Thomas might actual be a better player, at 18 he helped Somerset beat the reigning County Champions Notts with a half century & his maiden century in the same game. Jordan Cox is a really high class talent & has had to wait for a chance.
In Archer, Tongue & Baker this could be the fastest pace attack ever assembled, all capable of 90+ mph. Matt Fisher will operate in the low 80's & will be expected to provide some control.

I believe that Cox bowls off breaks as well.

Cox has had some injuries that have prevented him from keeping wicket which is his trade, but he has to be one of the very best outfielders in county cricket.

Jamie Smith's become a dad today and has withdrawn from the team for the next test

James Rew will keep wicket

England V New Zealand 2nd Test - The Oval 17 - 21 June Day 1 Close
Toss - England elected to field
New Zealand 291-7 (77 overs) Phillips 49 no Blundell 51 Mitchell 44 Ravindra 33 Latham 27 Nicholls 24 Bethell 2-8 Baker 2-63

The match has played out pretty much as I'd imagined with England able to take wickets but with New Zealand able to score at a health rate. Fisher played the stock bowler job effectively, his lower pace resulted in the best economy rate although didn't make the batsmen play enough with the new ball. Archer maintained his pace ell despite the lack of red ball preparation, his spell against Phillips when he peppered him with bouncers made for compelling viewing, although 8 overs was a little much. Baker showed great heart on debut, struggled with his run up at times & most of the bowlers delivered far too many balls down the leg side. Rew was tidy behind the stumps. Bethell took 2 great catches in the gully & burgled 2 wicket from poor balls. Conway apart, all the Kiwi batters got in, but many were got out by poor shots rather than quality deliveries. With Phillips at the crease a score of 350 is possible unless the 2nd new ball is successful.

(17-06-2026 10:18 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  England V New Zealand 2nd Test - The Oval 17 - 21 June Day 2 Close
Toss - England elected to field
New Zealand 391 (96.2 overs) Phillips 100 no Jamieson 41 Blundell 51 Mitchell 44 Ravindra 33 Latham 27 Nicholls 24 Bethell 3-26 Archer 2-61Fisher 2-62 Baker 2-94
England 222-6 (58 overs) Gay 53 Root 46 Duckett 36 Brook 24 Rew 24 Cox 21 no Henry 2-57 O'Rourke 2-61

Bethel's got another wicket this morning. Have England got their bowling options wrong again.

In the last test they played Bashir and he didn't bowl. And in this test they play an extra quickie and leave him out, and the part time spinner gets three wickets.