THE OVAL — New Zealand subjected England to a humiliating 253-run defeat at The Oval to set up a series decider at Trent Bridge next week.
The hosts, with five changes from the first Test, including three debutants and an interim captain in Joe Root, were always up against it in this second Test after Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were stood down following their curfew-busting night out. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was also given the Test off after the birth of his second child, while seamer Ollie Robinson, man of the match at Lord’s, was injured.
Still, this was a humbling loss. Set a world-record 463 to win, England started the final day 281 short of that target with five wickets remaining. They lasted just 48 minutes, with a rampant Matt Henry taking all five wickets needed to finish the match with 11 overall.
Here’s how England’s players rated after a sixth defeat in eight Tests for the under-pressure Bazballers.
Ben Duckett – 3
