ENG vs NZ: Jamie Smith to miss second Test, England make changes to Playing XI
England Team Huddle (Source: Getty Images)
Published - 16 Jun 2026, 09:51 PM• Read time - 2 mins
England have made further changes to their playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand, as wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith is set to miss the game at the Oval, beginning on June 17. Smith has decided to stay with his family after his partner gave birth to their daughter on Tuesday, June 16.
He scored 1 and 39 in the two innings respectively during the first Test at Lord's as England registered a 115-run victory to take a 1-0 lead. In Smith's place, James Rew will be making his Test debut at the Oval and will don the wicketkeeping gloves, informed England Cricket.
"A double congratulations are in order... Firstly, to Jamie Smith and his partner on the safe arrival of their baby girl this morning. And secondly, to James Rew - who will be making his Test debut and wearing the gloves in Jamie's absence. We wish you both all the best," informed England Cricket through a post on their X account.
A double congratulations are in order...
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 16, 2026
Firstly, to Jamie Smith and his partner on the safe arrival of their baby girl this morning.
And secondly, to James Rew - who will be making his Test debut and wearing the gloves in Jamie's absence.
We wish you both all the best ❤️
Rew will be the third player to make his Test debut during the second match, along with Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker.
Earlier, right-arm seamer Ollie Robinson was also ruled out of the second Test after complaining of knee soreness following a practice session ahead of the match. Robinson underwent scans following his injury, and the England team management has decided to rest him for the second Test.
Jofra Archer makes a comeback
Robinson was adjudged Player of the Match in England's victory at the Lord's, registering career-best figures of 7 for 77. In his place, Jofra Archer has been brought into the playing XI, who marks his return to red-ball cricket after his long stint in the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) for Rajasthan Royals.
Archer last played Tests during the third match of the Ashes 2025-26 in Adelaide and was subsequently ruled out of the last two matches of the rubber due to a side strain. He’s fresh from a brilliant campaign in the IPL 2026, where he finished as the third-highest wicket taker of the tournament with 25 scalps from 16 matches.
England playing XI for 2nd Test: Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matt Fisher, Emilio Gay, James Rew (wk), and Josh Tongue.
