Test Cricket

England were beaten by 253 runs at The Oval as New Zealand levelled the series 1-1. Jamie Hall delivers his verdict on every member of Joe Root's side.

Matt Henry claimed 11 wickets in the match as New Zealand swept aside England's lower order inside the first hour of day five to win by 253 runs at The Oval, levelling the series at 1-1.

A chaotic two weeks for English cricket reached its nadir at The Oval as New Zealand levelled the series with a comprehensive 253-run victory, setting up a winner-takes-all decider at Trent Bridge.

Joe Root is holding England together in the second Test at The Oval, but a world-record target of 463 makes final-day survival look the best realistic outcome for the hosts.

Joe Root has etched his name even deeper into cricket history by becoming only the second player ever to reach 14,000 Test runs, joining the legendary Sachin Tendulkar at the pinnacle of the game.

Ben Stokes appears to be closing in on a return to the England captaincy for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, with the ECB investigation into his curfew breach nearing a conclusion.

With England 352 runs adrift of New Zealand at The Oval, two of the country's most celebrated former captains are calling on Ben Stokes' side to shelve any ambitions of a run chase and bat for survival.

Henry Nicholls' unbeaten century has handed New Zealand an imposing 352-run lead with seven wickets remaining, leaving England facing a monumental challenge on day four at The Oval.

Emilio Gay ground out a composed half-century on day two of the second Test against New Zealand, only to gift his wicket away immediately after reaching the milestone in the most frustrating of fashions.

England find themselves in serious trouble at The Oval, closing day two of the second Test on 222-6 and trailing New Zealand by 169 runs after a string of poor decisions with bat and ball.

Lord Botham has publicly condemned Ben Stokes for breaking England's midnight curfew after the Lord's Test, saying there is no way to justify what happened. The England captain and Gus Atkinson are now both under ECB investigation.

Sonny Baker announced himself on the Test stage by removing Rachin Ravindra for 33, helping England reduce New Zealand to 107-4 on the opening day of the second Test at The Oval.