Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith will not play for England in the second Test against New Zealand, which is set to start at The Oval in London on Wednesday (June 17). According to a release shared by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on the eve of the second Test of the ongoing three-match series between the two teams, Smith withdrew from the squad after being named in the playing XI on Monday (June 15) due to the birth of his second child.
The 25-year-old Smith, who has played 21 Tests for England so far, scored 1 and 39 runs for the hosts in the first Test at Lord’s.
In Smith’s place, 22-year-old James Rew will play as wicketkeeper-batter for England.
Rew’s inclusion in the playing XI as Smith’s replacement was confirmed by the ECB on Tuesday.
“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,” the ECB tweeted on Tuesday.
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 ❤️
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 16, 2026
James Rew has played 64 first-class matches so far and scored 3,921 runs in 107 innings. He has slammed 12 centuries and 17 fifties, and averages 41.71 with the bat. In his last first-class match, he scored 10 and 40 runs for Somerset against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
Rew is one of the three debutants for England in the second Test. Apart from him, Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker will also play their maiden Test matches for England on Wednesday.
While Cox has replaced Ben Stokes in the playing XI, Baker has come in for Gus Atkinson.
Both Stokes and Atkinson were dropped from England’s squad for the second Test at The Oval due to an ongoing investigation.
Fast bowler Matthew Fisher, who has played one Test for England against the West Indies in March 2022, has also been included in England’s XI for the second Test in place of Ollie Robinson, who is sidelined due to fitness-related issues.
Root to captain England
In the absence of Stokes, Joe Root will captain England in the second Test. The legendary right-handed batter was announced as England’s captain ahead of vice-captain Harry Brook last week.
England’s playing XI for 2nd Test against New Zealand: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root (C), Harry Brook, James Rew (WK), Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher, Sonny Baker
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