New Zealand Thrash England by 253 Runs in Second Test
Matt Henry's record 11-wicket match haul dismantles England as visitors level series ahead of Nottingham Test
London, June 22: New Zealand produced a dominant all round performance to defeat England by 253 runs in the second Test at The Oval on Sunday, drawing the series level and setting up a winner takes all decider in Nottingham later this week.
Chasing an unlikely target of 463, England resumed the fifth and final day at 182 for five but folded for 209 within the opening hour as New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry ripped through the lower order.
Henry delivered a devastating spell of 6 for 29 in the second innings to finish with match figures of 11 for 109, the best by a New Zealand bowler against England in Test cricket. The haul also marked the first 10-wicket match performance of his Test career.
England’s resistance ended when Joe Root, their overnight hope, added just two runs to his score before being trapped lbw by Henry for 77. The dismissal triggered a collapse as Jofra Archer, Matthew Fisher and Josh Tongue all departed without scoring.
Archer was undone by a sharply skidding delivery that crashed into the stumps, while Fisher chopped onto his wicket and Tongue edged to slip. Henry’s relentless accuracy left England with no route back into the contest.
Jordan Cox offered brief resistance with a brisk 25, but his dismissal attempting an attacking sweep brought the innings to a close and confirmed New Zealand’s emphatic victory.
The result was particularly significant for the visitors, who secured only their seventh Test win in England since touring the country and just their second triumph at The Oval. Their previous victory at the historic venue came in 1999.
With the series now tied, attention shifts to Nottingham, where both sides will battle for the series crown beginning Thursday.
