England’s head coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged it has been a challenging week leading up to the second Test, with significant changes to the team. Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are unavailable, while Ollie Robinson is out due to a knee injury.
Jordan Cox is likely to take Stokes’ place at No. 7, and pacer Sonny Baker will join the bowling lineup along with returning Jofra Archer. Joe Root will captain the team for the first time in four years, having handed over the captaincy to Stokes in 2022.
Another change could be in the works, as wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith is expecting the birth of his child very soon. If he can’t play, James Rew is set to step in as the wicketkeeper.
“There have been a few changes. It has been a bit chaotic, but looking at our line-up for this week, I’m excited. I’m confident we’ll see some thrilling Cricket,” McCullum said, according to Somerset Live.
Baker nearly debuted at Lord’s but was ultimately not selected. After facing challenges in last year’s white-ball matches, he now has another chance to make his Test debut for England.
“If Sonny can achieve some early success, like getting a quick wicket, the crowd will support him. He plays similarly to Mark Wood with good pace and skills, and his enthusiasm is clear. We are rooting for him,” McCullum stated.
Cox missed a potential Test debut in 2024 due to a thumb fracture during training, which allowed Jacob Bethell to play at No. 3. Despite spending much of this season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, Cox made a strong return with a remarkable innings against Leicestershire, advancing ahead of James Rew for a spot in the England XI.
“We wanted to assess him before putting him in that role, and he scored a double hundred, which makes a strong case. His power and well-rounded abilities make him a good fit at number seven,” McCullum concluded.