Rew To Make Debut for England, Replacing Smith in the Second Test Versus New Zealand

England’s regular wicketkeeper in Tests, Jaime Smith, sought ECB’s permission to miss the second test, starting on Wednesday, at the iconic venue, The Oval, following the birth of his second child on Tuesday morning. Taking his place in the side will be the 22-year-old, Somerset's James Rew. 

But he is not the only debutant to take the field on Wednesday. Team England will field two more debutants for the game, batter Jordan Cox and pace bowler Sonny Baker. The last time England gave away three debut caps in the playing XI was way back in 2017 against the Proteas at the same venue.  

With the debutants coming into the side, England will have five changes as against the side that won the first test at the home of cricket, The Lord’s. Jamie Smith withdrew from the Test match to be with his partner after the birth of their second child. 

England XI for second Test: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (Captain), Harry Brook, James Rew (Wicket Keeper), Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher, Sonny Baker 

Captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson have been made unavailable for the second Test after the infamous incident in a nightclub post the first Test, while seamer Ollie Robinson is injured. As a result of the absentees, to lend balance to the team, England left out spinner, Shoaib Bashir from the playing XI. 

Their bowling-up will be led by the experienced pacer, Jofra Archer. He will be supported by Matthew Fisher and Baker, alongside Cox and Rew. It is the first time England have made five changes to their team during a home series since the fourth and final Test against New Zealand in 1999, also the last time they faced the Black Caps at The Oval. 

Rew, who averages almost 42 in first-class cricket and has made 12 centuries, spent a long period on Tuesday practising his wicketkeeping at The Oval with England fielding coach Sarah Taylor. Despite Rew taking the gloves in the second Test, he will at number six, one place ahead of Cox. Smith is the second player to welcome a child during this series. New Zealand opener Devon Conway returned home after New Zealand's defeat at Lord's to be at the birth of his baby, but has since returned and will play in the second Test.