New Zealand He produced a clinical performance with both bat and ball to record a comprehensive 253-run victory over England in the second Test of the 2026 series. After posting 391 in the first innings and chasing down 362 in the second innings, the visitors bowled out England for 291 and 209 to win the match. Glenn Phillips‘ first innings century and Matt Henry‘s relentless pace bowling plays a crucial role.
Glenn Phillips rescues New Zealand after a shaky start
The visitors endured an early wobble after the defeat Devon Conway and captain Tom Latham cheap, slip 58 for 2. Henry Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra tried to stabilize the innings but England kept chipping away with wickets.
The impulse passed Daryl Mitchell and Phillips combined an important partnership in the middle. Mitchell contributed a patient 44 before Phillips took charge with a superb century, compiling 100 from 135 deliveries and frustrating the English attack. Low-level value contributions Kyle Jamieson and Nathan Smith It took New Zealand further to 391.
Jofra Archer and two goalkeepers claimed Matthew Fisher and Jacob Bethell also made useful strides, but England regretted not being able to complete the innings earlier.
England reply but fall short of 100
England’s reply, despite useful contributions throughout the order, could never gather sustained momentum. Ben Duckett provided an aggressive start before Joe Root 46 and with the highest score Jordan Cox 27 added.
However, New Zealand’s seam attack was consistently struck at crucial moments. Matt Henry was an outstanding performer, finishing with a spectacular five-wicket haul that dismantled the middle and lower order. William O’Rourke As England were bowled out for 291, Smith took timely wickets and left a significant first innings deficit of 100 runs.
Rachin Ravindra and Daryll Mitchell extended the lead before Matt Henry finished the job
Despite another early stumble, New Zealand capitalized on their lead in the second innings. Ravindra anchored the innings with a fluent 76 while Henry Nicholls He recovered from his first innings disappointment to score 60. Mitchell once again proved reliable with 68 and ensured England became a tough target.
Archer impressed with three wickets and Matthew Fisher also collected three scalps, but New Zealand’s total of 362 stretched England’s total beyond reach.
Chasing a mammoth fourth innings score, England’s batting falters almost immediately. Jamieson was removed Emilio Gay and Jacob Bethell before in quick succession William O’Rourke was fired Ben Duckett. Root fought hard for 77 and Harry Brooke entertained with a quick 58 but none could inspire a remarkable run. Henry then produced a devastating spell and finished with excellent figures of 6 for 29. England slumped to 209 from a position of relative stability, handing New Zealand a 253-run victory.
The comprehensive win showcased New Zealand’s balance between departments, with key contributions from Phillips, Ravindra, Mitchell and Henry, ensuring the tourists outplayed England in the course of the match.
Also WATCH: ENG vs NZ – Joe Root fires a bare-handed rocket to remove Tom Blundel on Day 2 of the second Test
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Victory at The Oval sees the series squared off 🏆
Matt Henry finished the match with 6-29 and after his five-wicket haul in the first innings he finished with incredible match figures of 11-109.
Next up, Trent Bridge 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/HHRxPbgoL1
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 21, 2026
NEW ZEALAND BEAT ENGLAND BY 253 RUNS AFTER SUCCESS IN 1ST TEST. 🤯🔥
– Matt Henry picked 11 wickets! pic.twitter.com/CA58dCvCTu
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 21, 2026
11 Test match wickets for Matt Henry 👏
One of the best posts in recent times 😍
1st Shot:- 5-80 🖐
2nd Shot :- 6-29 🖐☝️#ENGvNZ #TestCricket #MattHenry pic.twitter.com/WEMtbqF768— 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡 (@theashishsingh7) June 21, 2026
Since the start of January 2022, Matt Henry has taken 115 wickets in just 21 Tests at an average of less than 20.
The modern king of rocking stitch. And on current form, arguably the best Test pacer. pic.twitter.com/4CtqbY1Bvo
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) June 21, 2026
POTM AWARD FOR MATT HENRY.
– 11 wickets in the match for Matt Henry, 5 wickets in the 1st innings and 6 wickets in the 2nd innings.🔥pic.twitter.com/rdtOkVvrBN
— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) June 21, 2026
TEST CONVERSION FROM CONTACT FROM MATT HENRY 🔥
– 2015–2020: 30 wickets in 23 innings.
– 2021–2026: 116 wickets in just 45 innings.He has now claimed nearly 50 Test wickets against England, but this is his first five wickets against them.#ENGvNZ #cricket…
– Rana Ahmed. (@AhmadRana056) June 19, 2026
From his international debut in the final of the 2015 ODI World Cup to taking five wickets in both innings of the Oval Test and leading New Zealand to a series-levelling victory, Matt Henry has indeed come a long way.
With the Southee-Boult-Wagner trio no more, he… pic.twitter.com/UfDHQKc3YT
— floki (@Unfeel34) June 21, 2026
– 5/80 (24) in first innings.
– 6/29 (18.1) in second innings.How Matt Henry bowled against England in the Oval Test Match – One of the best bowling performances for the Kiwis in Test history! 🫡🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/tzBmwXX4aa
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) June 21, 2026
WHAT A MEETING OF KIWILS !!!!!!🗿
NZ beat ENG by 253 runs in 2nd test.🥶🥶
Matt Henry scored 11 goals in the match. pic.twitter.com/6XCaKewMNt– 24 yard show (@abhinav1864844) June 21, 2026
150 Test gate
10 week journey in Girls Test CricketMatt Henry, we are happy to have you pic.twitter.com/NM0FsFikzt
— (@Visharad_KW22) June 21, 2026
“It was great to receive the awards”
Matt Henry reacts to New Zealand’s series-levelling performance against England and his impressive bowling performance 👏 pic.twitter.com/eGy23EKMBZ
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 21, 2026
Also READ: ‘I know he’s watching’: Glenn Phillips dedicates Test century to late father – ENG vs NZ
