James Rew to Debut as Jamie Smith Misses Second Test
Jamie Smith will be absent from England's second Test match against New Zealand due to the birth of his daughter. In his place, James Rew has been selected, marking his Test debut as the third newcomer in the squad.
Smith, who serves as wicketkeeper, welcomed his second child on Tuesday morning, just one day before the Test at The Oval commences on Wednesday.
At 22 years old, Somerset's Rew will assume wicketkeeping duties and is slated to bat at number seven in the lineup.
Rew will make his Test debut alongside fellow debutants batter Jordan Cox and pace bowler Sonny Baker. This is the first occasion since 2017 that England has fielded three debutants in the same XI, the previous instance also occurring at The Oval against South Africa.
The selection changes result in five alterations to the England XI that secured a 115-run victory in the first Test at Lord's.
- Root to captain game-by-game but is 'envious' of Stokes-McCullum dynamic
- Baker and Cox to make Test debuts at The Oval
- The 92mph England fast bowler ready to move on from difficult debut
