Cox and Baker earn Test debuts as England make four changes for The Oval
Synopsis
England's second Test XI against New Zealand is as much a story of discipline as selection. Two debutants, a captain suspended for a curfew breach, and a seven-wicket hero ruled out injured — The Oval Test begins with England reshuffled, not rattled, and Joe Root back at the helm.
Key Takeaways
Jordan Cox (23) and Sonny Baker earn their first Test caps for England in the second Test at The Oval .
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are stood down after breaking the team's midnight curfew.
Ollie Robinson , who took seven wickets at Lord's, is ruled out with right knee soreness .
Matt Fisher returns for his first Test in over four years ; Jofra Archer leads a four-man pace attack.
Joe Root captains in Stokes' absence; James Rew is on standby for wicketkeeper Jamie Smith .
New Zealand face their own XI uncertainty following Kane Williamson's sudden retirement.
England have handed first Test caps to batter Jordan Cox and fast bowler Sonny Baker for the second Test against New Zealand, beginning at The Oval on Wednesday, 18 June 2025. The pair are among four changes to the side that defeated New Zealand by 115 runs at Lord's in the series opener.
Why England Made Four Changes
The reshuffle was partly forced and partly tactical. Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been stood down after both players broke the team's midnight curfew — a disciplinary call that strips England of their captain and a key seam bowler in one stroke. Ollie Robinson, who claimed seven wickets on his return to Test cricket at Lord's, has been ruled out with right knee soreness. Shoaib Bashir also drops out as England opted against a specialist spinner for The Oval surface.
The Debutants: Cox and Baker
Jordan Cox, 23, arrives in the Test arena on the back of a double-hundred for Essex in the County Championship, underlining the form that has kept him in England's sights for some time. His path to a first cap has not been straightforward — Cox was set to debut on England's tour of New Zealand in 2024 before a broken thumb sustained in practice cruelly ruled him out. He finally gets his opportunity at The Oval.
Sonny Baker, who has played just 12 first-class matches, has nonetheless been on England's radar for his raw pace. He featured for the England Lions in Australia and, while his limited-overs international appearances in ODIs and T20Is proved difficult, England's selectors clearly believe his skills translate best to the longest format.
The Returning Faces
Matt Fisher earns a recall for his first Test appearance in more than four years, completing an unlikely comeback. Jofra Archer returns to spearhead what is now a four-man pace attack, alongside Archer, Fisher, Baker, and Josh Tongue. Joe Root will captain the side in Stokes' absence, a role he held for several years before the current regime. Jamie Smith retains the wicketkeeper's berth, though Somerset's James Rew has been placed on standby given that Smith's partner is due to give birth to their second child imminently.
New Zealand's Lineup Uncertainty
New Zealand were yet to confirm their playing eleven ahead of the match following the sudden retirement of Kane Williamson. Rachin Ravindra is expected to move up to number four, with either Henry Nicholls or Will Young likely to fill the vacancy at number three left by Williamson's exit.
England's Playing XI for the Second Test
Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (captain), Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher, Sonny Baker.
With Stokes absent and two fresh caps in the XI, The Oval Test will be a significant early examination of England's squad depth — and of whether their celebrated 'Bazball' culture can absorb disruption without losing momentum.
Point of View
But that freedom has a cost when it sidelines your captain and a frontline seamer in the same stroke. Root's return to the captaincy, even temporarily, is a reminder of how thin the leadership bench remains. Cox's debut is long overdue and the double-hundred form backs it; Baker's selection on just 12 first-class games is a bigger gamble, and The Oval will be a stern examination of whether raw pace alone justifies the punt. New Zealand, meanwhile, are navigating Williamson's exit mid-series — a transition that could prove either galvanising or destabilising depending on how Ravindra and the middle order respond.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker making their Test debuts at The Oval?
Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker have been handed their first Test caps as part of four changes England made for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. Cox impressed with a double-hundred for Essex in the County Championship, while Baker's raw pace has kept him on England's radar despite limited first-class experience.
Why have Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson been left out of England's second Test XI?
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were stood down after both players broke the team's midnight curfew ahead of the second Test. The disciplinary decision means England are without their captain and a key seam bowler for the match at The Oval.
Who is captaining England in Ben Stokes' absence?
Joe Root will captain England for the second Test at The Oval. Root led England for several years before Stokes took over and steps back into the role on a temporary basis.
Why is Ollie Robinson missing the second Test despite taking seven wickets at Lord's?
Ollie Robinson has been ruled out of the second Test due to right knee soreness. His absence is a significant blow given he claimed seven wickets on his return to Test cricket in the first Test at Lord's.
What is the uncertainty around New Zealand's lineup for the second Test?
New Zealand had not confirmed their playing eleven ahead of the second Test following the sudden retirement of Kane Williamson. Rachin Ravindra is expected to bat at number four, with either Henry Nicholls or Will Young likely to come in at number three to replace Williamson.
