Matt Henry showcased his best Test performance, claiming an 11-wicket match haul as New Zealand defeated England by 253 runs at The Oval. England, chasing 463 for victory, faltered early on the final day, with Henry dismissing key batsmen like Joe Root and Jofra Archer.
Henry’s exceptional bowling continued as he dismantled England’s lower order, securing his first Test 10-wicket haul. Despite a brief resistance from Jordan Cox, Henry’s brilliance shone through, culminating in a career-best 6-29 in the second innings. This win marked New Zealand’s largest victory by runs on English soil, leveling the series ahead of the final Test.
The defeat for England comes amidst off-field issues, with Captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson missing the match due to a pending investigation. Stokes and Atkinson, allegedly involved in a curfew breach incident, are expected to return for the upcoming Test at Trent Bridge after being withdrawn from county commitments.
