England v New Zealand 2026 Test Match Series

Jofra Archer and Jordon Cox have been brought into the squad.

Archer was probably going to return anyway. The problem for the team is losing their 4th seamer/batsman.

Kane Williamson calls time on international cricket after 378 matches across all formats.

So both teams are losing their captains for the 2nd test.

Kane Williamson was an absolute class act. A proper player and and a proper gentleman. Best wishes to him.

It always feel a shame when a player retires mid-series, but in this case it is a very Williamson type thing to do. A quiet understated man who doesn't crave the limelight it has come as no surprise to me that he's walked away quietly.
Part of the decision has been his own realization that his time was up, but also unselfishly he is stepping aside with the batting line-up in good order & plenty of younger players to slot in. It would've been easier to milk some run on a better batting wicket at The Oval next week, but despite a double failure on a tricky surface at Lords he at least played out his career at the home of cricket & in reaffirms his connection to our country from his time in county cricket, even though his Test stats in England have been well below his career average. He's turned a chance to finish in a home series against India & a tour to Australia.
In this current era Kane ranks alongside, Kohli, Smith & Root, the big 4 & like the others barring maybe Root he had to grapple with the challenge of being a multi-format cricketer. What he also shares with these great & those from the past is making batting look like it's played in slow motion even when the bowling is high pace he has the ability to play the ball late.
He leaves the game as New Zealand's highest run scorer, highest average & most runs in Test Cricket. Arguably their best ever player.

So if Stokes was stripped of the England captaincy and Harry Brook was to take over, would we see any difference in playing style of the team under him? If Stokes was to go - I think McCallum would probably go too.

Ollie Robinson is a doubt for the 2nd Test after suffering knee soreness in training. Henry Crocombe has been called up as cover

^ Robinson's been confirmed as being out. And as mentioned Henry Crocombe is called into the squad.

Who the heck is Henry Crocombe?

^I've never heard of him either, if he has been tearing up the county championship to earn his call up
Incidentally did anyone achieve the feat of 1,000 runs before end of May this year? (or come close)

(15-06-2026 08:41 )Charlemagne Wrote:  ^ Robinson's been confirmed as being out. And as mentioned Henry Crocombe is called into the squad.

Who the heck is Henry Crocombe?

A Sussex teammate of Robinson, 24 years of age, 6 ft. He has just passed 1oo first class wickets with an unspectacular average of 36, bowls medium fast.
He's been involved wit the England Lions for the past 2 years, so on the radar. Recorded match figures of 9-69 against Leicestershire this season which included his first b5 wicket haul.
Doubtful that he will play brought in as cover. With Stokes particularly the balance of the team is messed up. I'm not a fan of going in with just 4 bowlers, you only need a seamer to get injured & you're in trouble. The only way I would ever consider 4 bowlers would be if you had a high class spinner, which we haven't. With Bashir not required at Lords due to the nature of the pitch, I would replace him wicket leg spinner Rehan Ahmed, who could bat in Stokes position at 7, given that Stokes hasn't delivered many runs in recent times they shouldn't be much of a drop off if any. He can be used as an impact bowler as wickets have been hard to come by at The Oval, his variety could be an asset.
Atkinson will be a big loss on his home ground. The plan was initially to get Archer back up to speed in red ball cricket after a successful IPL in a 4 day match for Sussex, it would be a gamble to rush him back.
The main reason Robinson was left out 2 years ago was his fitness, & injury has struck. There was a concern that in Test Cricket operating at mid 80's he's high class, but his pace dropped off into the mid 70's & he's less effected. This was noticeable at Lords in the 2nd innings.
With Sam Curran not fit to bowl yet, he may well have been an option to replace Stokes, but not sure they fancy him at Test level.
I'm happy that it hasn't happened, but George Hill is a consistent wicket taker, despite operating under 80 mph. Once a genuine batsman but required to bowl more, his batting has suffered. This season he looks to have regained confidence with the bat & is a good slip fielder. I'm biased but he must be a better fit than Crocombe.
If the resist the temptation of Archer, Matt Fisher would be reliable, but doesn't take enough wicket for my liking. Sonny Baker would be an exciting pick, but can go for runs.
If England do opt for a 4 man bowling attack, James Rew should be the next man up, although Jordan Cox fits the bill better to slot in at 7 & can bat in the style of Stokes at his best.

New Zealand have called up Will Young as a replacement for Williams, although Henry Nicholls is the spare batsman.