England is set to field a third Test debutant in their match against New Zealand on Wednesday, as Somerset’s James Rew takes over wicketkeeping duties from Jamie Smith, who is unavailable following the birth of his second child.
Smith missed training at the Kia Oval on Tuesday, with the England and Wales Cricket Board confirming his withdrawal from the Test to support his family during this joyful occasion.
At just 22 years old, Rew will don the gloves and bat at number six, completing a trio of new faces in a largely altered home side. Earlier selections saw fast bowler Sonny Baker and batsman Jordan Cox included, while Rew’s addition pushes the total changes to five from the team that defeated New Zealand by 115 runs at Lord’s ten days prior.
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Under head coach Brendon McCullum, Rew becomes the twentieth player to make his Test debut across 46 matches. Cox and Baker have replaced captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, both dropped following a breach of the team curfew during recent victory celebrations. Jofra Archer and Matt Fisher also return to the squad.
Rew’s cricketing pedigree has long marked him as a future international standout. Last season, the left-hander became the youngest Englishman since Denis Compton in 1939 to register ten first-class centuries, a milestone he has since extended with two more centuries. In 64 first-class matches to date, Rew boasts an impressive average of 41.71.
First called up to the Test squad over a year ago for the Zimbabwe series, Rew has also gained valuable experience touring Australia with Andrew Flintoff’s Lions, where he served as captain, and has been integrated into the senior England squad.
While his wicketkeeping skills are considered steady, Rew underwent intensive training with former World Cup-winning England keeper Sarah Taylor. Taylor has made history as the first woman to work directly with the men’s national team, joining an expanded coaching setup introduced this summer to strengthen England’s backroom staff following previous criticisms.
The ECB officially stated, “Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter James Rew has been called into the England men’s XI for the second Rothesay Test against New Zealand in place of Jamie Smith. Smith has been withdrawn from the Test match following the birth of his second child, enabling him to remain with his partner and family.”