ENG vs NZ: Jofra Archer returns as England make four changes to playing XI for Oval Test

England have announced their playing XI for the second Test match against New Zealand beginning on June 17 at the Oval, as the team made four changes for the upcoming fixture.

Right-arm seamer Ollie Robinson has been ruled out of the game 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.

In his place, Jofra Archer has been brought into the playing XI as he returns to red-ball cricket after his long stint in the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) for Rajasthan Royals. 

The right-arm speedster 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. 

Apart from him, England have also handed two debut caps to Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker. Meanwhile, fast bowler Matt Fisher also returns to play his second Test after making his debut on the tour of the Caribbean in 2022.

As a result, England will be fielding a four-pronged pace attack consisting of Archer, Fisher, Baker and Jos Tongue.

Joe Root will be leading the team on an interim basis as captain Ben Stokes isn't a part of the second Test, along with Gus Atkinson, as the duo got embroiled in a controversial nightclub incident after the first match. 

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, Jamie Smith (wk), and Josh Tongue.