New Zealand controls second Test with Phillips century and key wickets

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Second Test day 3: New Zealand 391 & 252-3; England 291 Nicholls scores unbeaten 119 to give tourists 352-run lead For all the reports that suggest Ben Stokes and the England management have brokered something resembling peace over the past 48 hours, the team being led by Joe Root in the all-rounder’s absence still finds itself in strife. A sappingly-hot third day at the Oval saw New Zealand steadily move into a position of dominance, reaching 252 for three in their second innings and leading by 352 runs. Based on the current trajectory of this second Test, Stokes will be returning for a high-stakes series decider at Trent Bridge next week. Continue reading...

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Second Test, day two: New Zealand 391; England 222-6 Debutant Cox left to shepherd hosts’ tail For all that the job wore him down over a five-year period, Joe Root was only ever going to say yes when England found themselves needing a sensible stand-in captain in the wake of Ben Stokes and that late night after Lord’s. But there will surely have been a few doubts when the call from Rob Key came in; flashbacks to the final throes of Root’s reign, when even a personally celestial final 12 months with the bat could not prevent the team’s overall slide. Continue reading...