New Zealand Beat England by 253 Runs to Level Test Series

New Zealand defeated England by 253 runs on the final day of the second Test at The Oval, leveling the three-match series at 1-1. Matt Henry finished with match figures of 11-109, including 6-29 on day five, as England collapsed from 182-5 while chasing 463.

Root was dismissed for 77 in the third over of the day, trapped lbw by Henry with the wicketkeeper standing up. Jofra Archer was bowled by a low delivery two balls later, and Matthew Fisher played on shortly afterward. Josh Tongue was caught at first slip for a golden duck, and Jordan Cox was bowled attempting a sweep, completing the innings inside an hour.

Background to the Result England had won the first Test at Lord's two weeks earlier but entered this match without captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson after both broke team curfew. The pair were withdrawn from county fixtures on Sunday, with an investigation outcome still pending before the squad for Trent Bridge is named.

New Zealand, missing retired batsman Kane Williamson, received centuries from Henry Nicholls and Glenn Phillips across the two innings.

England have lost six of their past eight Tests and will need to win the third match at Trent Bridge to avoid a series defeat. New Zealand last won a Test series in England in 1999 and have the chance to repeat that result on what is expected to be a truer pitch. >"He has been brilliant" — Watch all 11 of Henry's wickets in second Test