England vs New Zealand: The specter of Ben Stokes hangs over the hosts in the second Test at The Oval

You will have your own opinion about the rights and wrongs of a grown man when his employers say he should have stayed in bed. Preventing Stokes’ comeback may no longer be the key.

Test match will start again on Wednesday morning. England will win the series only if they beat New Zealand in the second Test at the Oval. They did not win any series for 18 months.

While much of the speculation surrounding Stokes has been about his future as captain, England will once again feel the impact of his absence as a player.

Without Stokes’ all-round ability, the hosts have had to bolster their batting by bringing in debutant Jordan Cox, and adding Sonny Baker to their seam bowling, meaning Bashir has been pushed.

Also in a mischievous move with Atkinson, Robinson injured and Smith on paternity leave means five changes.

The most recent example of England making a fifth change between Tests in a home series was the last time they played at this ground against New Zealand, a defeat in 1999 that deprived captain Nasser Hussain.

The same will be said of stand-in captain Joe Root this week. Not Boos, his name roars less when he comes down to bat.

Taking charge of England in a record-extending 65th Test, Root will lead a side that features three debutants. The last time England had a trio of uncapped players in the same XI was in 2017 against South Africa at The Oval.

The addition of Emilio Gay in the first Test at Lord’s made four debutants in the series. Not since that same New Zealand summer in 1999 had four made their debut in England’s home series, the last before a revolving door selection policy of central contracts ended.

It is a further sign of the rapid evolution of the England team over the last three years.

In the 2023 Ashes Test at this ground, the home team consisted of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes. All have moved on since then, while another large collection of caps has been lost through the scrapping of Jack Leach, Jack Crawley and Olly Pope.