England had no answers to Matt Henry’s tight line and length as the Kiwi quick picked up 11 wickets across two innings, including two five-wicket hauls, to help New Zealand win the second Test at the Oval by 253 runs and level the three-match series 1-1. England struggled to maintain momentum under new interim captain Joe Root after the Lord’s win, as the new-look side stumbled in the second Test in London, conceding a chance to clean sweep New Zealand at home. With no Ben Stokes and seamer Gus Atkinson, England played three debutants, including pacer Sonny Baker and keeper-batters Jordan Cox and James Rew.&nbsp;“Probably didn't expect it to unfold like that today,” Player of the Match Henry said after the game. “There were little moments in the first Test that set things up nicely. Credit goes to all of us.&nbsp; &nbsp;On Tom Blundell standing up to the stumps, Henry said, “We actually played England a few years ago, and we wanted to keep their batters in the crease. Credit goes to Tom; he was outstanding. For me, it's about how I get the job done. Huge credit to Tom. It's easy when you got such a strong bowling group.” &nbsp;England won the toss and sent New Zealand out to bat first. Following a shaky start, New Zealand returned to the driver’s seat, thanks to a brilliant maiden Test hundred by Glenn Phillips (100 off 135 balls). New Zealand’s first-inning score of 391 gave them the cushion, on which Henry rode and never allowed English batters to settle and wrapped them up on 291 in their reply. He picked up five wickets for 80 in the first innings. &nbsp;Kiwi’s response in their second innings was enough to keep England at Bay, as they added 362 more to that lead, thanks to a magnificent hundred by Henry Nicholls, who replaced recently retired Kane Williamson. For England, the returning pace duo of Jofra Archer and Matthew Fisher picked up three wickets each.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Jofra finds the edge again and it’s safely pouched by Bethell 👏 <a href="https://t.co/nf8OHEPRDj">pic.twitter.com/nf8OHEPRDj</a>&mdash; England Cricket (@englandcricket) <a href="https://x.com/englandcricket/status/2068297197808972177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Come England’s run chase, they were pushed against the wall with three early blows. Stand-in captain Root contributed with a gritty 77, with Harry Brook notching up 58 off just 54 balls, aiding England’s chances of an improbable chase. A little hand from the two debutants, Rew (15) and Cox (25), fought to save face, but Henry had other plans. The right-arm quick was unplayable with both the new and old balls, bagging six wickets in the second innings and returning with 11 in the match. &nbsp;As a result, New Zealand crushed England by 253 runs to win the second Test and level the series. &nbsp;Meanwhile, the latest reports also suggest that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/eng-vs-nz-2026-ben-stokes-gus-atkinson-withdrawn-from-county-championship-games-ahead-of-3rd-test-new-zealand-ecb-investigation-nightclub-brawl-1782038738581">Stokes and Atkinson are in line for a shock recall</a> to the side for the final Test at Trent Bridge amid the ECB’s probe into their nightclub incident. The final Test and series-decider starts next Thursday (Jun 25).

Matt Henry’s spectacular 11-wicket haul powered New Zealand to an emphatic 253-run win over England at The Oval, levelling the three-match series 1-1.

England had no answers to Matt Henry’s tight line and length as the Kiwi quick picked up 11 wickets across two innings, including two five-wicket hauls, to help New Zealand win the second Test at the Oval by 253 runs and level the three-match series 1-1. England struggled to maintain momentum under new interim captain Joe Root after the Lord’s win, as the new-look side stumbled in the second Test in London, conceding a chance to clean sweep New Zealand at home. With no Ben Stokes and seamer Gus Atkinson, England played three debutants, including pacer Sonny Baker and keeper-batters Jordan Cox and James Rew. “Probably didn't expect it to unfold like that today,” Player of the Match Henry said after the game. “There were little moments in the first Test that set things up nicely. Credit goes to all of us. On Tom Blundell standing up to the stumps, Henry said, “We actually played England a few years ago, and we wanted to keep their batters in the crease. Credit goes to Tom; he was outstanding. For me, it's about how I get the job done. Huge credit to Tom. It's easy when you got such a strong bowling group.” England won the toss and sent New Zealand out to bat first. Following a shaky start, New Zealand returned to the driver’s seat, thanks to a brilliant maiden Test hundred by Glenn Phillips (100 off 135 balls). New Zealand’s first-inning score of 391 gave them the cushion, on which Henry rode and never allowed English batters to settle and wrapped them up on 291 in their reply. He picked up five wickets for 80 in the first innings. Kiwi’s response in their second innings was enough to keep England at Bay, as they added 362 more to that lead, thanks to a magnificent hundred by Henry Nicholls, who replaced recently retired Kane Williamson. For England, the returning pace duo of Jofra Archer and Matthew Fisher picked up three wickets each.

Matt Henry’s spectacular 11-wicket haul powered New Zealand to an emphatic 253-run win over England at The Oval, levelling the three-match series 1-1.

Matt Henry bags 11 wickets as New Zealand crush England in 2nd Test to level series

England veteran Joe Root said he will take the Test captaincy on a ‘game-by-game’ basis after replacing exiled all-rounder Ben Stokes for the second Test against New Zealand, starting Wednesday (Jun 16) at The Oval. With the ECB selectors dropping Stokes and seamer Gus Atkinson for breaching the midnight curfew following the Lord’s Test win, Root agreed to lead the Test side on an interim basis for the first time since 2022.&nbsp;After reports of Stokes and Atkinson getting involved in a brawl at a Chelsea pub made headlines, the second such instance since Harry Brook’s Wellington nightclub episode last year, the ECB is said to have stripped Stokes of the Test captaincy. The Durham all-rounder has also contemplated taking international retirement in the aftermath of this episode.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/eng-vs-nz-2nd-test-oval-head-coach-brendon-mccullum-concerned-about-ben-stokes-wellbeing-after-nightclub-episode-gus-atkinson-1781539144621">England coach McCullum ‘concerned’ about Ben Stokes’ wellbeing after nightclub episode</a>&nbsp;In rather disbelief over leading England once again since being replaced by Stokes, Root said he is in a ‘different place’ now and is also confident in turning the mood in the dressing room following this turbulent period.&nbsp;"I never thought I'd be sat here talking to you guys as England captain again. Zero chance... 0.1 per cent," Root said on the eve of the match to reporters on Tuesday (Jun 16). "The only thinking that came to my mind is what is the best thing for this team, is it going to have a big effect on me and my personal life and which outweighed the other.&nbsp;"The fact is, it felt like it was the right thing to take this on, so I tried to make it as simple as that. I think I am in a very different place to when I finished.&nbsp;“To be captaining this group of players is a really exciting opportunity. It's a game-by-game basis, I think. Let's not look beyond this week.”<h3>Root on Stokes’ future</h3>Close pals with Stokes, with whom Root has played most of his decorated Test career, the right-hander could also lead England in the final Test, which starts just three days after the scheduled finish in London. Revealing his conversation with Stokes in the past week since that episode, Root shed light on how his old friend is feeling and what he must do before calling time on his career.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I've spoken to him a number of times over the last week or so," Root said of Stokes. "We're close friends, and I think they should stay as privileged conversations between me and him.&nbsp;"When it comes to how Ben's feeling, how he is, I think they're all questions that he should be answering himself. I'm sure, at the right time and when he's ready, he will."&nbsp;Meanwhile, England lead the three-match Test series 1-0.

Joe Root admits "disbelief" as he returns to lead England on a game-by-game basis for the 2nd Test against New Zealand after captain Ben Stokes is exiled over a late-night curfew breach. 

England veteran Joe Root said he will take the Test captaincy on a ‘game-by-game’ basis after replacing exiled all-rounder Ben Stokes for the second Test against New Zealand, starting Wednesday (Jun 16) at The Oval. With the ECB selectors dropping Stokes and seamer Gus Atkinson for breaching the midnight curfew following the Lord’s Test win, Root agreed to lead the Test side on an interim basis for the first time since 2022. After reports of Stokes and Atkinson getting involved in a brawl at a Chelsea pub made headlines, the second such instance since Harry Brook’s Wellington nightclub episode last year, the ECB is said to have stripped Stokes of the Test captaincy. The Durham all-rounder has also contemplated taking international retirement in the aftermath of this episode. Also read | England coach McCullum ‘concerned’ about Ben Stokes’ wellbeing after nightclub episode In rather disbelief over leading England once again since being replaced by Stokes, Root said he is in a ‘different place’ now and is also confident in turning the mood in the dressing room following this turbulent period. "I never thought I'd be sat here talking to you guys as England captain again. Zero chance... 0.1 per cent," Root said on the eve of the match to reporters on Tuesday (Jun 16). "The only thinking that came to my mind is what is the best thing for this team, is it going to have a big effect on me and my personal life and which outweighed the other. "The fact is, it felt like it was the right thing to take this on, so I tried to make it as simple as that. I think I am in a very different place to when I finished. “To be captaining this group of players is a really exciting opportunity. It's a game-by-game basis, I think. Let's not look beyond this week.” Root on Stokes’ future Close pals with Stokes, with whom Root has played most of his decorated Test career, the right-hander could also lead England in the final Test, which starts just three days after the scheduled finish in London. Revealing his conversation with Stokes in the past week since that episode, Root shed light on how his old friend is feeling and what he must do before calling time on his career. "I've spoken to him a number of times over the last week or so," Root said of Stokes. "We're close friends, and I think they should stay as privileged conversations between me and him. "When it comes to how Ben's feeling, how he is, I think they're all questions that he should be answering himself. I'm sure, at the right time and when he's ready, he will." Meanwhile, England lead the three-match Test series 1-0.

Joe Root admits "disbelief" as he returns to lead England on a game-by-game basis for the 2nd Test against New Zealand after captain Ben Stokes is exiled over a late-night curfew breach.&nbsp;

ENG vs NZ 2nd Test: Joe Root admits ‘disbelief’ at England captaincy return after chat with exiled Ben Stokes

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Matt Henry bags 11 wickets as New Zealand crush England in 2nd Test to level series

Root admits ‘disbelief’ at England captaincy return after chat with Ben Stokes