Jofra Archer Returns, England Name Uncapped Pacer In Squad For New Zealand Tests

Jofra Archer [Source: AFP]

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made some changes to the England national squad ahead of the second Test of the series against New Zealand. Following the nightclub controversy involving captain Ben Stokes and fellow all-rounder Gus Atkinson, the ECB named former captain Joe Root as England’s interim skipper earlier this week.

A few days ago, the selection committee also recalled express fast bowler Jofra Archer and wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox into the squad for the remaining two Tests. The ECB has now named uncapped paceman Henry Crocombe in the squad as a replacement for Ollie Robinson. 

It is worth noting that Robinson won the ‘Player of the Match’ award at Lord’s earlier this month, but the speedster has since experienced knee soreness and has undergone a precautionary scan. 

Jofra Archer, Jordan Cox return; Joe Root to lead

As confirmed earlier, the ECB has recalled Jofra Archer and uncapped Jordan Cox into the England squad for the remaining two Tests of the series against New Zealand. Archer missed the first Test at Lord’s owing to the speedster’s preceding commitment with the Rajasthan Royals franchise in the IPL 2026 season in India. 

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Jordan Cox has previously played three ODIs and six T20Is for England. The Essex wicketkeeper-batter recently celebrated his maiden Test call-up with an epic 204 off just 201 balls against Leicestershire in a Division One County Championship match in Leicester. 

Former captain and legendary batter Joe Root will lead the England national side following the ouster of Ben Stokes from the team owing to his involvement in last week’s nightclub incident alongside all-rounder Gus Atkinson. 

Henry Crocombe receives maiden Test call-up

Sussex academy graduate Henry Crocombe has received his maiden call-up to England’s Test side following his wicket-taking spree in English domestic competitions. The 24-year-old fast bowler has so far scalped 104 wickets in 47 first-class matches, and another 76 in 64 white-ball games. 

Crocombe was added to the England squad as a cover-up for injured fast bowler Ollie Robinson. The speedster picked up seven wickets at Lord’s, including five in the first innings, and scored a decisive 29 to bag the ‘Player of the Match’ award in England’s 115-run win, doing so in his comeback Test no less. 

However, Robinson is suffering from knee soreness and was taken for a precautionary scan on Saturday, June 13. Here is a look at the entire updated England squad for the remainder of the Test series against New Zealand.

Updated England squad for New Zealand Tests:

Joe Root (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue. 

England take 1-0 lead, The Oval to host second Test

England, under Ben Stokes, thumped New Zealand by 115 runs at Lord’s to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series. 

The second Test between the two sides will be hosted by The Oval in London from June 17 till June 21. The series also constitutes a part of the ongoing 2025-27 WTC cycle. 

While New Zealand slipped from second to fourth position on the WTC charts, England remained at seventh place despite the comprehensive result. 

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