LONDON : Matt Henry produced a devastating spell of fast bowling to claim New Zealand’s best-ever match figures against England and seal a crushing 253-run victory in the second test at The Oval on Sunday, levelling the three-match series at 1-1.
England resumed the fifth day on 182-5 chasing an improbable 463 but collapsed inside 50 minutes as Henry tore through the lower order, taking all five wickets to fall in the morning session.
The seamer finished with match figures of 11-109, including 6-29 in the second innings, after also claiming 5-80 in the first.
“I didn’t expect it to unfold like that, but it saved a hot day in the field,” player of the match Henry said.
“The way the guys applied themselves with the ball was relentless.”
Henry struck immediately on Sunday, trapping Joe Root lbw for 77 with the first ball of his second over of the day after the former captain had added only two runs to his overnight score.
Two deliveries later he produced a ball of exceptional quality that kept low and crashed into Jofra Archer’s middle stump.
England’s resistance quickly evaporated as Henry dismissed Matthew Fisher for a duck when the tailender chopped on, before Josh Tongue edged to Daryl Mitchell on the next ball.
He completed the rout by bowling Jordan Cox with a swinging yorker as England were dismissed for 209.
The defeat leaves England under pressure after losing six of their last eight tests and comes amid ongoing scrutiny following the decision to leave out captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson while an investigation continues into an alleged breach of team curfew after the first test at Lord’s.
Stokes is expected to return for next week’s series decider at Trent Bridge.
“We are anticipating Ben will be back as captain,” England head coach Brendon McCullum told Sky Sports.
New Zealand seized control of the match on the second morning when England’s bowlers squandered a promising position, allowing the visitors to add more than 100 runs for their final three wickets. Glenn Phillips capitalised with a century as New Zealand built a substantial first-innings lead.
After moving 100 runs ahead, the tourists tightened their grip through Henry Nicholls, whose fluent 121 in the second innings helped set England a daunting target.
Henry then ensured there would be no miracle chase, removing both Root and Harry Brook in each innings as New Zealand completed one of their most comprehensive victories over England.
“I’m disappointed that we found ourselves on the wrong side of the result, but that’s how it sits,” said Root, who captained England for a record-extending 65th test.
The teams will meet at Trent Bridge next week with the series finely poised at 1-1.
