Chaotic England Fortnight Ends with Huge Defeat in Second Test
England suffered a crushing 253-run loss to New Zealand in the second Test at The Oval, leveling the series at 1-1.
England's miserable fortnight ended with a crushing defeat in the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, setting up a high-stakes decider at Trent Bridge. New Zealand won by 253 runs, leveling the three-match series at 1-1.
Under the shadow of the controversy surrounding absent captain Ben Stokes, an inexperienced England team were exposed by an excellent performance from New Zealand. England began a baking final day with scant hope of an escape, resuming on 182-5, chasing a notional 463. The home side lasted less than an hour thanks to the brilliance of New Zealand seamer Matt Henry, who claimed 6-29 for career-best match figures of 11-109.
Joe Root was out for 77 in the third over of the day, again lbw to Henry with the keeper standing up, and the tail was exposed. Jofra Archer was bowled by a shooter, Matthew Fisher played on, and Josh Tongue was caught at first slip for a golden duck, giving Henry his first Test 10-wicket haul. When Jordan Cox was bowled attempting a sweep, England were beaten.
Exactly two weeks after a confidence-boosting win in the first Test, England are trying to move on from a period of chaos while facing the vital third Test. Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson broke the England team's midnight curfew after celebrating the Lord's win and were present when a security staff member was struck by a Saracens rugby player. They were stood down for this Test pending an investigation, the outcome of which is now due to be revealed as England need to name a squad for Trent Bridge. All of England's management—Stokes, McCullum, and director of cricket Rob Key—were backed after the dismal Ashes tour and now face a crucial series decider.
England have lost six of their past eight Tests, and the two wins were extraordinary matches on substandard pitches in Melbourne and at Lord's. This is England's third successive defeat at The Oval. Allowances can be made for an XI with three debutants—Cox, James Rew, and Sonny Baker—yet England have long identified these players as potential Test cricketers. New Zealand had their own disruption with the retirement of Kane Williamson, whose replacement Henry Nicholls made a century.
Trent Bridge will leave England nowhere to hide. With their best players available, on what should hopefully be a true pitch and against a strong New Zealand team, it is a must-win situation. Henry was magnificent, backed by Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke. Nicholls eased into the void left by Williamson with a second-innings century. New Zealand are settled, no-frills, and battle-hardened—everything England are not.
