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Published Jun 17, 2026Updated Jun 191
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England start well despite Ben Stokes' absence as New Zealand reaches 291-7 in second Test
England's makeshift team captained by Joe Root restricted New Zealand to 291-7 on day one of the second Test at The Oval, with Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson unavailable due to an investigation into a nightclub incident. Three debutants, including Sonny Baker (2-63) and Jacob Bethell (2-8), featured prominently in England's bowling attack.
Quick Facts
- Second Test match between England and New Zealand
- Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson unavailable due to investigation
- Joe Root captaining England
- Three debutants featuring for England
- New Zealand completed day one on 291-7
England made a solid start to the second Rothesay Test against New Zealand at The Oval despite the absence of captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson, who are unavailable pending an investigation into an incident at a London nightclub. With Joe Root taking over as captain and making five changes including three debutants, England's bowling attack restricted New Zealand to 291-7 on the opening day.
New Zealand's innings was built around contributions from Tom Blundell (51) and Glenn Phillips (49 not out), who added 75 runs together before England's bowlers fought back. Daryl Mitchell contributed 44 before being dismissed. England's bowling was spearheaded by returning seamer Jofra Archer, who produced a hostile spell late in the day touching 92 mph, though he finished with no wickets from eight overs costing 22 runs. Sonny Baker, one of three new caps, claimed 2-63 in his maiden Test, while Jacob Bethell took 2-8 with his left-arm spin.
Root's decision to field first proved justified as the Kia Oval pitch offered movement and assistance to the bowlers despite the damp, humid conditions. The three debutants—Baker, wicketkeeper James Rew, and batter Jordan Cox—brought fresh energy to the England team after a tumultuous week off the field. Rain delayed the start by half an hour, but conditions gradually favoured batting as the day progressed, with the pitch showing light green colouration.
New Zealand's top order struggled to convert starts into substantial scores, with several batsmen wasting good opportunities. Phillips' survival against Archer's aggressive bowling proved crucial to New Zealand's position. England's disciplined bowling, particularly Bethell's late wickets, has left the hosts well-positioned to potentially win the series.
The match marks a return to normality for English cricket following extraordinary events surrounding the first Test. Root's captaincy, his first for more than four years, was characterised by aggressive field placements and close coordination with vice-captain Harry Brook, demonstrating composure in leading the team through significant disruptions.
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Why This Matters
This match reflects English cricket's resilience amid off-field turmoil—the sudden captaincy change and debut players stepping up demonstrates the depth of England's talent pool. New Zealand's strong first-day position (291-7) sets up a competitive series, and how Root's leadership navigates the remainder of the Test will shape both the match outcome and England's confidence heading into critical international fixtures. For readers following Test cricket competitiveness and leadership dynamics, this signals whether England can maintain performance standards under pressure.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 17, 2026
WirePlay delayed by 30 minutes due to rain
Jun 17, 2026
WireEngland won toss and elected to field first
Jun 17, 2026
WireJofra Archer's hostile spell late in day, bowling at 92 mph
Jun 17, 2026
WireJacob Bethell takes two late wickets, New Zealand close at 291-7