Matt Henry spearheaded New Zealand's demolition of England on the final day of the second Test at the Oval, claiming six for 29 to skittle the hosts for 209 and secure a resounding 253-run victory. The win levels the three-match series at 1-1 with one Test to play.
England's Resistance Crumbles in 25-Minute Spell
England resumed on 182 for five, needing a further 280 runs for an unlikely victory. Joe Root, who had battled to 75 on Saturday, was the key wicket. Henry trapped him leg before wicket for 77 in the first over of the day, adding just two runs to his overnight score. The dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse.
Henry then bowled Jofra Archer for a two-ball duck, completing a double-wicket maiden. The all-rounder continued his devastating spell by removing Matthew Fisher and Josh Tongue for ducks in consecutive deliveries. Sonny Baker joined Jordan Cox at the crease with the score at 192 for nine.
Cox's Brief Resistance Ends
Cox provided some entertainment for the home crowd, hitting two boundaries to reach 25, but Henry ended the match within an hour of the resumption. He clean-bowled Cox with a yorker to finish with second-innings figures of six for 29, taking his match aggregate to 11 wickets for 109.
New Zealand had set England a target of 462 after declaring their second innings on 362. The Black Caps posted 391 in their first innings, with England replying with 291.
Stokes and Atkinson Withdrawn from County Matches
Earlier on Sunday, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson had been withdrawn from their County Championship matches at the request of the ECB. Both players were left out of the second Test after breaching a team curfew. They are now expected to be recalled for the third Test, which starts at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
