0
0
0
0
0
4
= 4
Match Details
ENG vs NZ, 2nd TEST, NZ vs ENG 2026 summary
ENG 291(84.0)
209-10(58.1)
New Zealand won by 253 runs 🏆
391(96.2)
NZ
(87.1)362-10
+
P'ship : 0(0)
Commentary
All
Highlights
Overs
W
6s
4s
Inn 1
Inn 2
Inn 3
Inn 4
Milestone
So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj and my co-commentator, AkshayaKrishna Polya as we wrap up the coverage of this 2nd Test. A note of thanks to our scorer, Zeeshan Naiyer, as well. This Test series is excitingly poised at 1-1, and the 3rd Test is expected to be even better. Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been withdrawn from their respective County matches and Brendon McCullum has gone on record saying that he expects the duo to be available for selection. As far as New Zealand are concerned, they will be focusing on their own group after playing so well at The Oval in all departments. So, do join us for the 3rd Test which will start from 25th June. Until then, there won't be any shortage of cricketing action as the white-ball season continues in full flow.
Tom Latham (New Zealand Captain): "(On the result) It's been a fantastic week. It has been a week of moments. Throughout the match, we managed to get our noses in front, and when you look back on it now, some crucial moments. And I spoke to you last week about just trying to do things for a little bit longer and be better just for a little bit longer. I thought we did that fantastically well this week.
(What were the crucial moments in the match?) From the first innings point of view, after Day 1, obviously, built a few partnerships. Guys got a lot of starts. I think that partnership between Glenn Phillips and Kyle Jamieson to get us close to that 400 mark. And, you look at the bowling innings in certain phases where we got back-to-back wickets and then probably another partnership, in our third innings with Henry and Rachin to be able to just stop a little bit of momentum on England's side and then manage to put a bit of pressure back on them. And, to be in the position we were in, to understand that it wasn't going to be easy on that surface, with it sort of tiring, the pace sort of going out of it. But again, I think the way the bowlers were able to operate, pretty much hit top of off, a little bit of old school cricket for a period of time there, and we managed to get the results.
(On Phillips' and Nicholls' centuries) I think from GP's point of view, we certainly know the talent that he's got and I guess some of the crucial innings that he's played for us in that role and from to do what he did, I thought what he did on the first evening, obviously Jofra bowling a pretty hostile spell. I think to show the group the ticker he has and the method he used, and then get through that and capitalise on it the next morning. And obviously Henry, we spoke about before the game, someone in a slightly different role, but I think he's got the second most amount of Test matches in our group, so he's got a lot of experience and I thought the way he came out and played fantastically well, absorbed a lot of pressure early on, certainly in those moments at the start of that third innings. And again, to put the team in the position that we were in, fantastic job.
(Matt Henry bowling stump to stump) Yeah, and that was sort of our method. What we thought was based on the surface, being able to pretty much hit the top of off repetitively and just keep asking questions. We knew the surface would offer a bit of variable bounce throughout the game. And I guess Henaz is a pretty good exponent of putting it on the mark for long periods of time. And we saw that today, in the first innings and the second innings, the way he was able to build pressure through dot balls, but also getting the crucial wickets at times. And he's been a spearhead for us for a long period, and it was nice for him to get the results today. And I guess also someone, Tom Blundell, for him to stand up to the stumps pretty much the whole innings, to keep guys in their crease, I thought, a lot has to do with him as well".
(What were the crucial moments in the match?) From the first innings point of view, after Day 1, obviously, built a few partnerships. Guys got a lot of starts. I think that partnership between Glenn Phillips and Kyle Jamieson to get us close to that 400 mark. And, you look at the bowling innings in certain phases where we got back-to-back wickets and then probably another partnership, in our third innings with Henry and Rachin to be able to just stop a little bit of momentum on England's side and then manage to put a bit of pressure back on them. And, to be in the position we were in, to understand that it wasn't going to be easy on that surface, with it sort of tiring, the pace sort of going out of it. But again, I think the way the bowlers were able to operate, pretty much hit top of off, a little bit of old school cricket for a period of time there, and we managed to get the results.
(On Phillips' and Nicholls' centuries) I think from GP's point of view, we certainly know the talent that he's got and I guess some of the crucial innings that he's played for us in that role and from to do what he did, I thought what he did on the first evening, obviously Jofra bowling a pretty hostile spell. I think to show the group the ticker he has and the method he used, and then get through that and capitalise on it the next morning. And obviously Henry, we spoke about before the game, someone in a slightly different role, but I think he's got the second most amount of Test matches in our group, so he's got a lot of experience and I thought the way he came out and played fantastically well, absorbed a lot of pressure early on, certainly in those moments at the start of that third innings. And again, to put the team in the position that we were in, fantastic job.
(Matt Henry bowling stump to stump) Yeah, and that was sort of our method. What we thought was based on the surface, being able to pretty much hit the top of off repetitively and just keep asking questions. We knew the surface would offer a bit of variable bounce throughout the game. And I guess Henaz is a pretty good exponent of putting it on the mark for long periods of time. And we saw that today, in the first innings and the second innings, the way he was able to build pressure through dot balls, but also getting the crucial wickets at times. And he's been a spearhead for us for a long period, and it was nice for him to get the results today. And I guess also someone, Tom Blundell, for him to stand up to the stumps pretty much the whole innings, to keep guys in their crease, I thought, a lot has to do with him as well".
Joe Root (England Captain): [Rob Key stated ahead of the game that you are the man to dig England out of the hole. In the end, it proved to be a little too deep and messy this week?] Yeah, credit to New Zealand. They played really well. On a number of occasions in this game, when the game was in the balance, they won those crucial moments. So, fair play to them on a brilliant performance. It is still 1-1 in the series and everything to play for at Trent Bridge.
[You have done the job previously, but how difficult was it to come back amidst all the chaos?] Yeah, it was fine. I really enjoyed coming back into that space and working with Baz (Brendon McCullum). It was brilliant this week to experience that and a great opportunity for those young guys coming into the team. And I think there was a huge amount of good that happened throughout the five days. And we just have to do things better for longer. At times, we need to make sure we're a bit more switched on in the field and we're ready to take those opportunities when they come. And whenever you lose or you miss eight chances, catches in particular, against a good team on a reasonably good wicket, it's going to hurt you. And we've got to learn those lessons, be slightly smarter and better in those areas. But, you know, there was a lot of good things in between all of that. And as I say, if we do that for longer, we'll be brilliant. And credit to those guys coming in and stepping up to the challenge. Not normally when you make your debut, it's one guy coming into that space. But for a number of guys to be right at the front of their careers and give a really good account of themselves, credit to them as players.
[On their tactics to allow New Zealand to score 391. Was that too many on this surface? What's his take on their tactics on the second morning?] Well, I think, again, credit goes to, especially Glenn Phillips, the way he played that evening. It was a very fiery spell from Jofra, I thought, was excellent throughout the whole test match. And it's a good lesson for our batters: if we're going to evolve as a team and keep looking to find ways of improving, then it's the way that he recognised that scenario, getting through a very tough period, a good spell of bowling, and re-rewards the following morning. So, you know, these are the sort of lessons that, as a young side, these guys coming into Test cricket, if we can learn from that very quickly, apply that to our own games and how we can bring that to the fore, then we'll very quickly become a better team for it. So, you know, you always look at those situations, especially when the lower-order come out and swing in, and you think, what's the right way to do it? In the second innings, I thought we did it perfectly. So in many ways, the way that we responded to that and went to something slightly different is really pleasing. Again, you always look at things when you lose as, you know, what did we do wrong? I think it's sometimes unfair on the opposition who rightly are allowed to play well, and I think they definitely did that this time round.
[You had to take the blazers out of the garage, which might have been crumpled after a few years. You keen to put it back in there, because Ben Stokes has withdrawn himself from the County game this morning?] Yeah, well, I've been very busy and occupied this week with this job, so we'll see what happens over the next couple of days."
[You have done the job previously, but how difficult was it to come back amidst all the chaos?] Yeah, it was fine. I really enjoyed coming back into that space and working with Baz (Brendon McCullum). It was brilliant this week to experience that and a great opportunity for those young guys coming into the team. And I think there was a huge amount of good that happened throughout the five days. And we just have to do things better for longer. At times, we need to make sure we're a bit more switched on in the field and we're ready to take those opportunities when they come. And whenever you lose or you miss eight chances, catches in particular, against a good team on a reasonably good wicket, it's going to hurt you. And we've got to learn those lessons, be slightly smarter and better in those areas. But, you know, there was a lot of good things in between all of that. And as I say, if we do that for longer, we'll be brilliant. And credit to those guys coming in and stepping up to the challenge. Not normally when you make your debut, it's one guy coming into that space. But for a number of guys to be right at the front of their careers and give a really good account of themselves, credit to them as players.
[On their tactics to allow New Zealand to score 391. Was that too many on this surface? What's his take on their tactics on the second morning?] Well, I think, again, credit goes to, especially Glenn Phillips, the way he played that evening. It was a very fiery spell from Jofra, I thought, was excellent throughout the whole test match. And it's a good lesson for our batters: if we're going to evolve as a team and keep looking to find ways of improving, then it's the way that he recognised that scenario, getting through a very tough period, a good spell of bowling, and re-rewards the following morning. So, you know, these are the sort of lessons that, as a young side, these guys coming into Test cricket, if we can learn from that very quickly, apply that to our own games and how we can bring that to the fore, then we'll very quickly become a better team for it. So, you know, you always look at those situations, especially when the lower-order come out and swing in, and you think, what's the right way to do it? In the second innings, I thought we did it perfectly. So in many ways, the way that we responded to that and went to something slightly different is really pleasing. Again, you always look at things when you lose as, you know, what did we do wrong? I think it's sometimes unfair on the opposition who rightly are allowed to play well, and I think they definitely did that this time round.
[You had to take the blazers out of the garage, which might have been crumpled after a few years. You keen to put it back in there, because Ben Stokes has withdrawn himself from the County game this morning?] Yeah, well, I've been very busy and occupied this week with this job, so we'll see what happens over the next couple of days."
Matt Henry (Player of the Match): "(Best Test figures vs England) Thanks very much. Probably didn't expect it to unfold like that today, but probably saved a really hot day in the field.
(On his comeback after getting injured in the 1st Test) Massively, was just trying to regain confidence with my body. It wasn't ideal, and it feels very bad to let the guys down on Day 1. Feels good to come here and get my quota out.
(Several contributors in the game for New Zealand, first innings runs, especially from Glenn Phillips, was key for the win) From all the batters, I think little moments in that first innings set the platform for the ball to get soft and Glenn to do his thing as well. So I think some of those get overlooked a bit, but our top order has done a great job for us because it's definitely challenging work to get done on day one. And I just think the way the guys applied themselves with the ball as a group, we talked about being relentless and slightly different from each end because it was gonna probably go till the last session today, we thought. So I think credit goes to all of us. We stuck at it, and it was nice to get the rewards.
(The tactic to ask Blundell come upto the stumps) We actually tried it in New Zealand a few years ago. We brought Tommy (Blundell) up at the Basin. Tom (Latham) and myself were talking about it. Just try to keep guys at the crease as much as possible. Having a world-class operator like Tom is massive; he is always up for it as well. That day at the Basin, it was bouncing, and he was absolutely loving it. Credit really goes to him because you can't do it unless you've got someone so good behind the stumps, and he was just absolutely outstanding.
(Keep upto the stumps, ego coming into the play as a fast bowler?) Yeah, a little bit. And that's the thing with Tommy. I've always said I'd rather be the effective than look like a hero, so for me it's actually how do I get a job done early and then create pressure. We know that England like to score, and how do we create pressure on something that's probably not offering as much and what's the biggest threat, and that was the stumps in play. So huge credit to Tommy. Definitely couldn't have done it without the work behind the stumps.
(Leading the attack) It's pretty easy when you've got such a strong bowling group. Obviously, Kyle and Will O'Rourke coming back from a couple of injuries, that says a lot about their character to come back the way they have, and then Nathan Smith just going from strength to strength, learning his craft, and there's more as well. All the guys on the side are just as good at playing out here as well. So you're only as good as the strength of your whole bowling group, so it makes my job easy.
(Finishing the game early to have some rest for the next Test) Yeah, it was in the back of the mind, but the first job was to get the job done today, and we'll definitely appreciate a couple of guys not having to start the engine up today."
(On his comeback after getting injured in the 1st Test) Massively, was just trying to regain confidence with my body. It wasn't ideal, and it feels very bad to let the guys down on Day 1. Feels good to come here and get my quota out.
(Several contributors in the game for New Zealand, first innings runs, especially from Glenn Phillips, was key for the win) From all the batters, I think little moments in that first innings set the platform for the ball to get soft and Glenn to do his thing as well. So I think some of those get overlooked a bit, but our top order has done a great job for us because it's definitely challenging work to get done on day one. And I just think the way the guys applied themselves with the ball as a group, we talked about being relentless and slightly different from each end because it was gonna probably go till the last session today, we thought. So I think credit goes to all of us. We stuck at it, and it was nice to get the rewards.
(The tactic to ask Blundell come upto the stumps) We actually tried it in New Zealand a few years ago. We brought Tommy (Blundell) up at the Basin. Tom (Latham) and myself were talking about it. Just try to keep guys at the crease as much as possible. Having a world-class operator like Tom is massive; he is always up for it as well. That day at the Basin, it was bouncing, and he was absolutely loving it. Credit really goes to him because you can't do it unless you've got someone so good behind the stumps, and he was just absolutely outstanding.
(Keep upto the stumps, ego coming into the play as a fast bowler?) Yeah, a little bit. And that's the thing with Tommy. I've always said I'd rather be the effective than look like a hero, so for me it's actually how do I get a job done early and then create pressure. We know that England like to score, and how do we create pressure on something that's probably not offering as much and what's the biggest threat, and that was the stumps in play. So huge credit to Tommy. Definitely couldn't have done it without the work behind the stumps.
(Leading the attack) It's pretty easy when you've got such a strong bowling group. Obviously, Kyle and Will O'Rourke coming back from a couple of injuries, that says a lot about their character to come back the way they have, and then Nathan Smith just going from strength to strength, learning his craft, and there's more as well. All the guys on the side are just as good at playing out here as well. So you're only as good as the strength of your whole bowling group, so it makes my job easy.
(Finishing the game early to have some rest for the next Test) Yeah, it was in the back of the mind, but the first job was to get the job done today, and we'll definitely appreciate a couple of guys not having to start the engine up today."
Player of the Match: Matt Henry
Best Bowling Figures for Matt Henry in a Test Innings:
7/23 vs South Africa, Christchurch, 2022
7/67 vs Australia, Christchurch, 2024
6/29 vs England, The Oval, 2026, This Innings*
6/39 vs Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, 2025
7/23 vs South Africa, Christchurch, 2022
7/67 vs Australia, Christchurch, 2024
6/29 vs England, The Oval, 2026, This Innings*
6/39 vs Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, 2025
Best Bowling Figures for New Zealand vs England in a Test Innings:
7/74 – Lance Cairns, Leeds, 1983
7/143 – Lance Cairns, Wellington, 1984
6/26 – Richard Hadlee, Wellington, 1978
6/29 – Matt Henry, The Oval, 2026, This Innings*
6/32 – Trent Boult, Auckland, 2018
7/74 – Lance Cairns, Leeds, 1983
7/143 – Lance Cairns, Wellington, 1984
6/26 – Richard Hadlee, Wellington, 1978
6/29 – Matt Henry, The Oval, 2026, This Innings*
6/32 – Trent Boult, Auckland, 2018
Best Bowling Figures for New Zealand vs England in a Test Match:
11/109 – Matt Henry, The Oval, 2026, This Match*
11/169 – Dion Nash, Lord's, 1994
10/100 – Richard Hadlee, Wellington, 1978
10/108 – Tim Southee, Lord's, 2013
10/140 – Jack Cowie, Manchester, 1937
10/140 – Richard Hadlee, Nottingham, 1987
11/109 – Matt Henry, The Oval, 2026, This Match*
11/169 – Dion Nash, Lord's, 1994
10/100 – Richard Hadlee, Wellington, 1978
10/108 – Tim Southee, Lord's, 2013
10/140 – Jack Cowie, Manchester, 1937
10/140 – Richard Hadlee, Nottingham, 1987
Biggest Defeats for England at The Oval in Tests (By Runs):
562 by Australia, 1934
253 by New Zealand, 2026, This Match*
231 by West Indies, 1976
562 by Australia, 1934
253 by New Zealand, 2026, This Match*
231 by West Indies, 1976
Biggest Wins for New Zealand vs England in Tests (By Runs):
423, Hamilton, 2024
253, The Oval, 2026, This Match*
199, Leeds, 2015
189, Hamilton, 2008
423, Hamilton, 2024
253, The Oval, 2026, This Match*
199, Leeds, 2015
189, Hamilton, 2008
Commentary