A glitch in the pitchside hoardings at the Oval displayed the word “SHIT” during a challenging third day for England. After a promising start, the team faltered, conceding a 100-run lead in the first innings, marking a tough week for English cricket.

James Rew, making his Test debut, faced immense pressure, reminiscent of rookie pilots in a war film. Among the last ten players to debut at the Oval, only three have had significant careers, while others faded into obscurity.

Rew's week was brutal:

• Conceded 22 byes in the first innings.
• Dismissed after attempting a hook shot shortly after being dropped.
• Dropped a crucial catch from Rachin Ravindra when New Zealand was at 48 for 2, leading by 148 runs.

The match saw Josh Tongue in fine form, yet Rew's confidence waned as the game progressed. A missed catch off Jofra Archer resulted in visible frustration from Archer, who shot Rew a disapproving look.

Tom Blundell excelled for New Zealand, effectively disrupting England’s batting, showcasing his wicketkeeping skills with a brilliant catch off Archer. England attempted to replicate this strategy with Rew standing up to the stumps, but he struggled, allowing a delivery to slip through for four byes.

While Rew is a promising batter for Somerset, being the youngest to score 10 first-class centuries since Denis Compton in 1939, he faces competition from Jamie Smith, returning from paternity leave, and Jordan Cox in the current lineup. To improve his debut impression, Rew needs a standout performance in the fourth innings.