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3d ago

Phillips’ Maiden Test Century and Curfew Inquiry Upend England’s Oval Test

An ECB probe that removed Ben Stokes from selection forced Joe Root to lead a heavily changed England side whose early bowling success was overturned when Glenn Phillips reached 100 to take New Zealand to 391.

Cricket - England v New Zealand - Second Test - Kia Oval, London, Britain - June 18, 2026 New Zealand's Glenn Phillips celebrates after reaching his century Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Cricket - England v New Zealand - Second Test - Kia Oval, London, Britain - June 18, 2026 England's Jacob Bethell celebrates taking the wicket of New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson with Ben Duckett and James Rew Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
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Cricket - England v New Zealand - Second Test - Kia Oval, London, Britain - June 18, 2026 New Zealand's Glenn Phillips in action Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Overview

  • England stood down captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson after a curfew breach, and Joe Root returned as stand-in captain for the second Test held at The Oval.
  • Selectors made five changes to the Lord’s XI, including three Test debutants — Sonny Baker, James Rew and Jordan Cox — recalled Jofra Archer and left Ollie Robinson out with injury.
  • Root chose to bowl and England struck early, with Matthew Fisher and Jofra Archer removing top-order batsmen and the tourists ending day one 291-7.
  • Glenn Phillips resumed the next morning to compile his first Test century and, helped by an 87-run stand with Kyle Jamieson and wayward England bowling, New Zealand were all out for 391.
  • The disciplinary probe and fresh injuries have handed opportunities to new players but also left England exposed by fielding errors and inconsistent short-ball tactics, issues that could shape captaincy and selection decisions for the rest of the three-match series.