England's optimism on day three of the second Test at the Oval was dashed as New Zealand took control, aided by wicketkeeping errors from debutant James Rew. The home side conceded a lead of 100 runs in the first innings, and the match is slipping away.
Rew's difficult debut
James Rew, the 21-year-old Somerset wicketkeeper, had a week to forget. He conceded 22 byes in the first innings, was dismissed playing a hook shot shortly after being dropped, and dropped a crucial catch off Rachin Ravindra on day three. New Zealand were 48 for two at the time, leading by 148, when Josh Tongue induced an edge from Ravindra. The ball flew low to Rew's right; he dived and got a glove to it, but the ball fell out onto the ground.
Not all the blame falls on Rew. The byes were partly due to England's short-pitched bowling, which often flew over his head. But his confidence visibly waned as the match progressed. Later, he leapt for another edge off Jofra Archer's bowling, getting close enough to raise expectations, only for the ball to reach the boundary. Archer shot Rew a filthy look and a few words.
Blundell's brilliance contrasts
New Zealand's Tom Blundell highlighted Rew's struggles with a masterful display. Blundell, who pioneered the tactic of standing up to fast bowlers to counter England's attacking batting in 2023, did so again brilliantly. His presence unsettled Joe Root and Harry Brook, and his catch off Archer was exceptional, plucking the ball from the air with inches to spare.
England briefly tried to replicate the tactic by sending Rew up to the stumps for Matt Fisher, but the ball flicked off his fingers and through his legs for four byes. Standing up to an 80mph bowler is a difficult skill, and it exposed Rew's inexperience.
History at the Oval
Of the last 10 men to make their Test debuts for England at the Oval, only three—Chris Woakes, Harry Brook, and Dawid Malan—have gone on to play extensively. The others, including Tom Westley and Simon Kerrigan, were quickly forgotten. Rew, with his youthful appearance and tough week, risks a similar fate.
Rew's batting pedigree
Despite his wicketkeeping woes, Rew is a talented batsman. He is the youngest player to score 10 first-class centuries since Denis Compton in 1939, achieving the feat for Somerset. However, with Jamie Smith returning from paternity leave for the next Test at Trent Bridge and Jordan Cox batting at No. 7 in this match, Rew needs a strong fourth-innings score to secure his place.
