New Zealand produced a clinical performance with both bat and ball to register a comprehensive 253-run victory over England in the second Test of the 2026 series. After posting 391 in the first innings and following it up with 362 in the second, the visitors bundled England out for 291 and 209 to seal an emphatic triumph, with Glenn Phillips’ first-innings century and Matt Henry’s relentless pace bowling playing decisive roles.
Glenn Phillips rescues New Zealand after shaky start
The visitors endured an early wobble after losing Devon Conway and captain Tom Latham cheaply, slipping to 58 for 2. Henry Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra attempted to steady the innings, but England continued to chip away with wickets.
The momentum shifted through Daryl Mitchell and Phillips, who stitched together an important partnership in the middle order. Mitchell contributed a patient 44 before Phillips took charge with a superb century, compiling 100 from 135 deliveries and frustrating the English attack. Valuable lower-order contributions from Kyle Jamieson and Nathan Smith further boosted New Zealand to 391.
Jofra Archer claimed two wickets while Matthew Fisher and Jacob Bethell also made useful breakthroughs, but England were left to rue their inability to wrap up the innings earlier.
England respond but fall 100 runs short
England’s reply never truly gathered sustained momentum despite useful contributions throughout the order. Ben Duckett provided an aggressive start before Joe Root top-scored with 46 and Jordan Cox added 27.
However, New Zealand’s seam attack consistently struck at crucial moments. Matt Henry was the standout performer, finishing with a magnificent five-wicket haul that dismantled the middle and lower order. William O’Rourke and Smith chipped in with timely wickets as England were dismissed for 291, conceding a significant first-innings deficit of 100 runs.
Rachin Ravindra and Daryll Mitchell extend lead before Matt Henry finishes the job
New Zealand capitalised on their advantage in the second innings despite another early stumble. Ravindra anchored the batting with a fluent 76, while Henry Nicholls recovered from his first-innings disappointment to score 60. Mitchell once again proved dependable with 68, ensuring England were set a daunting target.
Archer impressed with three wickets, and Matthew Fisher also collected three scalps, but New Zealand’s total of 362 stretched the overall target beyond England’s reach.
Chasing a mammoth fourth-innings score, England’s batting faltered almost immediately. Jamieson removed Emilio Gay and Jacob Bethell in quick succession before William O’Rourke dismissed Ben Duckett. Root battled hard for 77 and Harry Brook entertained with a rapid 58, but neither could inspire a remarkable escape. Henry then produced a devastating spell, ripping through the lower order to finish with outstanding figures of 6 for 29. England collapsed from a position of relative stability to 209 all out, handing New Zealand a commanding 253-run victory.
The comprehensive win showcased New Zealand’s balance across departments, with key contributions from Phillips, Ravindra, Mitchell and Henry ensuring the tourists outplayed England over the course of the match.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Victory at The Oval sees the series squared 🏆
Matt Henry starred with 6-29 to wrap up the match, finishing with incredible match figures of 11-109 after his five-wicket haul in the first innings.
Next up, Trent Bridge 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/HHRxPbgoL1
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 21, 2026
NEW ZEALAND BEAT ENGLAND BY 253 RUNS AFTER LOSING THE 1ST TEST. 🤯🔥
– Matt Henry picked 11 wickets! pic.twitter.com/CA58dCvCTu
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 21, 2026
11 Wickets In Test Match For Matt Henry 👏
One Of The Best Spell In Recent Time 😍
1st Inning :- 5-80 🖐
2nd Inning :- 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 at an average of under 20 in just 21 Tests.
The king of wobble seam in present times. And on current form, arguably, the best Test pacer going around. pic.twitter.com/4CtqbY1Bvo
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) June 21, 2026
THE POTM AWARD FOR MATT HENRY.
– 11 Wickets in the match, 5 wickets in 1st innings and 6 wickets in 2nd innings for Matt Henry.🔥pic.twitter.com/rdtOkVvrBN
— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) June 21, 2026
MATT HENRY’S REMARKABLE TEST TRANSFORMATION 🔥
– 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, yet this is his first-ever five-wicket haul against them.#ENGvNZ #Cricket…
— Rana Ahmad. (@AhmadRana056) June 19, 2026
From making his international debut in the 2015 ODI World Cup final to taking five-wicket hauls in both innings of an Oval Test and leading New Zealand to a series-levelling win, Matt Henry has truly come a long way.
With the Southee–Boult–Wagner trio no longer around, he has… pic.twitter.com/UfDHQKc3YT
— floki (@Unfeel34) June 21, 2026
– 5/80 (24) in first innings.
– 6/29 (18.1) in second innings.What a bowling performance by Matt Henry against England at Oval Test Match – One of the Finest bowling performances for Kiwis in Test history! 🫡🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/tzBmwXX4aa
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) June 21, 2026
WHAT A COMEBACK BY THE KIWIS !!!!!!🗿
NZ Defeated ENG in the 2nd test by 253 Runs .🥶🥶
Matt Henry has taken 11 wickets the match . pic.twitter.com/6XCaKewMNt— 24 yard show (@abhinav1864844) June 21, 2026
150 Test wickets
Maiden 10 wkt haul in Test CricketMatt Henry, we are blessed to have you pic.twitter.com/NM0FsFikzt
— ⚡ (@Visharad_KW22) June 21, 2026
“It was nice to get the rewards”
Matt Henry reacts to New Zealand leveling the series 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 maiden Test century to his late father – ENG vs NZ
