England collapsed to a 253-run loss at The Oval in the second Test, leaving the side scrambling for answers. BBC Sport handed out player ratings, highlighting the gulf between the hosts and the visitors. While Jofra Archer earned the highest mark for England, New Zealand’s bowlers and middle order dominated, setting the tone for a one‑sided encounter for England in June.

Archer’s ferocious bursts earned him a 7, but he fell short of the wickets needed to swing the match. Matt Henry stole the show with two five‑fors, finishing with 11 wickets and a player‑of‑the‑match award. England’s middle order sputtered: Root managed 77, Brook’s flashy fifty failed to translate into a substantial total, and debutant James Rew struggled behind the stumps on the field.

On the Kiwi side, Glenn Phillips’ seamless hundred made him only the third New Zealander with centuries across all formats, while Henry Nicholls added a crucial 108 to seal the win. Rachin Ravindra’s aggressive strokeplay complemented the innings, and Kyle Jamieson’s early wickets shifted momentum. Henry’s dominance underlines his emergence as a world‑class Test bowler this series.