Interim skipper leads England for second New Zealand Test
England make two changes for The Oval Test as Joe Root steps in as captain with Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson omitted.
England have named a 15-player squad for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, with Joe Root set to captain the side in the absence of Ben Stokes.
Gus Atkinson has also been left out, while Jofra Archer and Jordan Cox return to the squad.
Squad:
Joe Root (C), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.
Stokes and Atkinson were omitted from the squad amidst an investigation involving the pair which is ongoing. Root will lead the side ahead of official vice-captain Harry Brook.
Jordan Cox earns another opportunity after previously missing out on a Test debut because of injuries. The batter has not played a first-class game since September last year but recently featured for England Lions in their ODI series against South Africa. He also impressed with a quick 40 off 31 balls for Essex in the Vitality Blast earlier this week.
Jofra Archer also returns to the setup after missing the Lord’s Test. Archer last made an appearance in whites during the Ashes series Down Under in December 2025. The speedster had picked 9 wickets in three games, before being ruled out due to a left side strain.
England will head into the second Test with confidence after winning the opening match against New Zealand despite difficult weather conditions and a challenging surface. Ollie Robinson starred in the win with a five-wicket haul in the first innings before adding 29 runs and two more wickets in the second innings as England secured victory.