Ever since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over as England’s Test coach and captain respectively in 2022, a total of 20 players have received Test caps. The latest additions are Sonny Baker, Jordan Cox, and James Rew, who made their Test debuts at The Oval against New Zealand on June 17, 2026.
Sonny Baker and Jordan Cox had already represented England in ODIs and T20Is before receiving their maiden Test caps, while James Rew earned the opportunity to represent his country for the first time at the international level.
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were unavailable for the second Test due to off-field reasons, opening the door for Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker to don the whites. James Rew, meanwhile, replaced Jamie Smith, who was unavailable for selection following the birth of his second child.
From Malan to Rew: England’s Rare Triple Test Debut Matches Through History
June 17, 2026, marked a special occasion as Sonny Baker, Jordan Cox, and James Rew all made their Test debuts for England at The Oval against New Zealand. It was the first time in nine years that three England players had made their Test debuts in the same match.
The previous instance came in 2017, coincidentally also against South Africa at the same venue, The Oval in London. Dawid Malan, Toby Roland-Jones, and Tom Westley received Test cap numbers 677, 678, and 679 respectively in that match.
Other Instances of Three or More England Players Making Their Test Debuts in a Match Over the Last 100 Years
- Sam Robson, Chris Jordan, and Moeen Ali against Sri Lanka at Lord’s in 2014.
- Gary Ballance, Scott Borthwick, and Boyd Rankin against Australia in Sydney in 2014.
- Ian Blackwell, Alastair Cook, and Monty Panesar against India in Nagpur in 2006.
- Chris Adams, Gavin Hamilton, and Michael Vaughan against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1999.
- Ronnie Irani, Alan Mullally, and Min Patel against India in Birmingham in 1996.
- Mark Ilott, Mark Lathwell, Martin McCague, and Graham Thorpe against Australia in Nottingham in 1993.
- Graeme Hick, Mark Ramprakash, and Steve Watkin against the West Indies in Leeds in 1991.
- Kim Barnett, David Lawrence, Phil Newport, and Jack Russell against Sri Lanka at Lord’s in 1988.
- Nick Cook, Neil Foster, and Chris Smith against New Zealand at Lord’s in 1983.
- Jimmy Binks, Jeff Jones, and John Price against India at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, in 1964.
- Alan Brown, Butch White, and Eric Russell against Pakistan in Lahore in 1961.
- Tommy Greenhough, Martin Horton, and Ken Taylor against India in Nottingham in 1959.
- Ted Dexter, Ray Illingworth, and Raman Subba Row against New Zealand in Manchester in 1958.
- Donald Carr, Nigel Howard, Don Kenyon, Fred Ridgway, and Dick Spooner against India in Delhi in 1951.
- Don Brennan, Frank Lawson, and Peter May against South Africa in Leeds in 1951.
- Malcolm Hilton, Arthur McIntyre, and David Sheppard against the West Indies at The Oval in 1950.
- Roly Jenkins, George Mann, and Reg Simpson against South Africa in Durban in 1948.
- Dennis Brookes, Gerald Smithson, Jim Laker, Maurice Tremlett, and Winston Place against the West Indies in Bridgetown in 1948.
- Sam Cook, Tom Dollery, and Jack Martin against South Africa in Nottingham in 1947.
- Alec Bedser, Jack Ikin, and Frank Smailes against India at Lord’s in 1946.
- Paul Gibb, Norman Yardley, and Len Wilkinson against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1938.
- Doug Wright, Reg Sinfield, and Bill Edrich against Australia in Nottingham in 1938.
- Austin Matthews, Cyril Washbrook, and Denis Compton against New Zealand at The Oval in 1937.
- Arthur Fagg, Alf Gover, and Laurie Fishlock against India in Manchester in 1936.
- Wilf Barber, Jim Sims, Joe Hardstaff, and Denis Smith against South Africa in Leeds in 1935.
- Eric Hollies, Jack Iddon, George Paine, Errol Holmes, and Jim Smith against the West Indies in 1935.
- Harold Gilligan, Maurice Allom, Maurice Turnbull, Stan Nichols, Stan Worthington, and Tich Cornford against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1930.
- Wally Hammond, Ewart Astill, Rony Stanyforth, Bob Wyatt, Ian Peebles, and Geoffrey Legge against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1927.