Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker will make their England Test debuts in the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval which begins on Wednesday. 

Matthew Fisher will also play his second Test, more than four years after his first, while Jofra Archer returns for the first time this summer after he was omitted for the first Test.

There could also be a third debut for James Rew, who is on standby to replace wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who is expecting his second child. 

A week of disruption has forced a major reshuffle for the England side, with captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson dropped from the squad amid an investigation into their breach of curfew following their 115-run victory at Lord’s.

Joe Root has been installed as a temporary captain in the absence of Stokes, while Ollie Robinson was ruled out of the Test on Sunday after sustaining a knee injury.

Four changes to our XI, with Test debuts for Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker 

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 15, 2026

Cox's Test debut is long-awaited, having suffered several injury setbacks. He was due to play in New Zealand two years ago but broke his thumb in the build-up. 

He is due to slot in at number seven in place of Stokes, and comes into the match fresh from scoring 204 runs from 201 balls for Essex against Leicestershire at the weekend. 

Baker, meanwhile, returns to the side after a difficult 50-over and T20I debut last year, where he struggled with the ball in his hand. 

He posted respective scores of 0-76 and 0-52, though England boss Brendon McCullum believes he will hit back this time around. 

"I think the country is going to be behind him because he plays games a little bit like Mark Wood," McCullum said.

"He's got good air speed, he swings the ball, he's got great skills, but he charges in, and he's got wild celebrations, and you can just see that cricket is what he wants to do."

England XI for second Test:

Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (captain), Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher, Sonny Baker.