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New Zealand took command of the second Test at The Oval on Thursday after Glenn Phillips’ maiden century and a disciplined pace attack left England struggling at 222 for six at stumps on Day Two.
After resuming on 291 for seven, the visitors stretched their first-innings total to 391, with Phillips turning an overnight 49 into a memorable hundred before New Zealand’s seamers ripped through England’s top order to seize control of the contest.
England closed the day still 169 runs behind with only Jordan Cox and the lower order left to rescue the innings.
ENG vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 2: Highlights | Scorecard
Phillips was the architect of New Zealand’s strong position. The all-rounder weathered a fierce spell from Jofra Archer late on the opening day and returned on Thursday to complete his first Test century. His knock carried extra significance as it came on the eve of the anniversary of his father’s passing.
“That made it pretty special. That was one for him,” Phillips said after reaching three figures.
The 28-year-old found little resistance from England’s bowlers, who persisted with a barrage of short-pitched deliveries that often missed their mark. Phillips shared an 87-run stand with Kyle Jamieson, who added a valuable 41 after being dropped by Ben Duckett early in his innings.
By the time New Zealand were bowled out just before lunch, they had added a crucial 100 runs to their overnight total.
ENGLAND’S TOP ORDER FALTERS
England’s reply began brightly through Duckett, who raced to 36 from just 25 deliveries before a costly mix-up ended his innings. Emilio Gay called for a single that was never on and Nathan Smith produced a direct hit to send Duckett back to the pavilion.
Gay continued his impressive start to Test cricket, grinding his way to 53. His half-century came from 112 deliveries, the slowest England fifty of the Bazball era under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
But New Zealand’s relentless seam attack never allowed England to settle.
Matt Henry, who battled back spasms during the first Test defeat at Lord’s, delivered the decisive blows. He trapped Joe Root lbw for 46, denying the former captain a milestone 14,000 Test runs, before removing Harry Brook in similar fashion.
Brook briefly lit up the innings with a stunning back-foot six off Will O’Rourke, but Henry’s movement and accuracy proved too much.
NEW ZEALAND FINISH STRONGLY
With England wobbling, debutants James Rew and Jordan Cox offered some resistance through a promising partnership. Rew looked comfortable during his 24 and survived one chance when Rachin Ravindra spilled a catch.
However, O’Rourke struck shortly before stumps, forcing Rew into a glove through to Daryl Mitchell and ensuring New Zealand ended the day firmly on top.
Cox remained unbeaten on 22 at the close, but with England’s recognised batting all but exhausted, the hosts face a significant challenge to avoid conceding a substantial first-innings deficit.
Trailing 1-0 in the three-match series after their defeat at Lord’s, New Zealand could hardly have scripted a better response. England, meanwhile, will need something special on Day Three to wrest back momentum.
– Ends
