England is set to introduce a third Test debutant in the ongoing series against New Zealand as Somerset’s James Rew replaces Jamie Smith behind the stumps for the second Test match on Wednesday. Smith, who became a father for the second time earlier on Tuesday, missed training at the Kia Oval, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirming his withdrawal to be with his family.
The 22-year-old Rew will don the gloves and bat at number six, becoming part of an unusual England XI featuring three debutants. Earlier selections included fast bowler Sonny Baker and batsman Jordan Cox, and with Rew’s inclusion, the side sees five changes from the XI that defeated New Zealand by 115 runs at Lord’s just ten days ago.
Rew will be the 20th player to make his Test debut under head coach Brendon McCullum, who has introduced fresh talent in 46 matches. The recent squad changes arose following disciplinary actions after captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson breached team curfew during victory celebrations. Jofra Archer and Matt Fisher have also been brought into the side.
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Highly anticipated to earn international honors, Rew became the youngest Englishman since Denis Compton in 1939 to score ten first-class centuries at the start of last season and has added two more since. He boasts 64 first-class matches with an average of 41.71 and was first called up to the Test squad over a year ago for the standalone match against Zimbabwe.
Rew’s experience extends beyond county cricket; he captained Andrew Flintoff’s Lions in Australia and has spent significant time with the senior England squad. Known for his solid wicketkeeping rather than exceptional flair, Rew has undergone extensive training sessions with Sarah Taylor—the World Cup-winning former England wicketkeeper and the first woman to work with England’s men’s national team—part of an expanded coaching setup addressing past criticisms of England’s support structure.
The ECB’s official statement read: “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 Smith has been withdrawn from the Test match following the birth of his second child, enabling him to remain with his partner and family.”