second test between England And new zealand The second day at the Oval witnessed a fascinating day of traditional Test cricket. With the match extremely balanced, a moment of absolute magic on the field grabbed the headlines, even as the visitors fought hard for the ball. By the end of play, England were struggling to hold on at 222/6 and were 169 runs behind New Zealand’s first innings score of 391.
Joe Root made a sensational bare-handed catch to send Tom Blundell packing the other day
The biggest highlight of the day came in the 68th over of New Zealand’s innings. Kiwi wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell He played a stubborn, extremely effective innings and scored 51 runs (including six fours) from 84 balls. I’m trying to accelerate and beat the young England all-rounder jacob bethelBlundell cleared his front foot and hurled a powerful, flat-batted smash towards midwicket.
The ball bounced off the bat and crossed the boundary line. stood in its way Joe Root. Leaping towards his perfection, Root stopped the fast traveling bullet with his bare hands. The sheer pace of the shot forced an early juggle, but Root calmly held the ball up, kept his composure under the rebound and collected it safely at the second attempt.
A brilliant reflex catch broke up a dangerous partnership and gave Bethel a vital breakthrough just before the final stages of the innings. Blundell’s dismissal on 51 left New Zealand at 263/6, but it opened the door for them. glen phillipsTaking advantage of the lower order, he scored a brilliant 100 runs in 135 balls and took the Black Caps to a total score of 391. Bethel was the best of the English bowlers with impressive figures of 3/26.
Here is the video:
Another test catch for Joe Root 📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/1mJ7TM0TJv
– England Cricket (@englandcricket) 17 June 2026
New Zealand bowlers maintain control to halt England’s resurgence
Facing a heavy first innings collapse, England’s counter innings started slowly but soon caught up with New Zealand’s disciplined bowling unit. opener ben duckett And emilio gay A quick 45-run partnership before being cleverly run out by Duckett nathan smith On 36 runs. Gay led the innings with 53 from 114 balls, receiving brief support from Root, who contributed 46 before being dismissed LBW. matt henry The umpire’s call was upheld after a visual DRS review.
Whenever England threatened to build momentum, the Kiwis attacked relentlessly. harry brook Also fell cheaply at the hands of Henry for 24 runs. Will O’Rourke young dismissed James Rev The host team was in trouble for 24.
At stumps on the second day, New Zealand’s relentless line and length halted England’s scoring rate, allowing them only 18 runs in the last 10 overs. Jordan Cox (22*) and jofra archer (0*) managed to hold on till the end of play, leaving England at 222/6 after 59 overs. With plenty of help from the pitch, the Kiwi fast bowlers, led by Henry (2/57) and O’Rourke (2/61), are firmly in the lead at the start of the third day.
