New Zealand Takes Control After Reducing England to 222-6 at The Oval

New Zealand took control of the second Test at The Oval after reducing England to 222-6 in reply to New Zealand's 391 on day two, leaving the home side trailing by 169 runs with the tail exposed.

“Second Rothesay Test, The Kia Oval (day two of five) New Zealand 391: Phillips 100, Blundell 51; Bethell 3-26 England 222-6: Gay 53, Root 46; Henry 2-57, O'Rourke 2-61 England are 169 runs behind England are in a dire position against New Zealand after spiralling from a chaotic morning on day two of the second Test at The Oval”

BBC

Glenn Phillips made a maiden Test century, an even 100, as England were propped up by Emilio Gay's 53 and Joe Root's 46, with Root trapped two runs shy of becoming the second man to 14,000 test runs.

BBC

The BBC described England's slide as they lost three wickets for 35 runs to slip to 177-5, and then ended the day on 222-6 when James Rew gloved Will O'Rourke late in the day.

Japan Today said New Zealand's all-pace attack “relentlessly chipped away at England” to retake the momentum, and it noted debutant Jordan Cox was on 22 at stumps with Jofra Archer yet to score.

The BBC also highlighted that England set their own troubles with the very first ball of day two, laying a short-ball trap for Sonny Baker bowling to Kyle Jamieson.

Off the field, Reuters reported that England captain Ben Stokes could return to Test duty as soon as next week's series finale against New Zealand, with Stokes and Gus Atkinson stood down from the ongoing second Test at the Oval after breaking a team curfew.

Reuters added that the BBC and Britain's Press Association news agency reported Stokes could rejoin the England squad for the third and final Test against New Zealand at Nottingham's Trent Bridge, as inquiries by the England and Wales Cricket Board and the independent Cricket Regulator head towards a conclusion.

Japan Today

In a pre-Test press conference, England coach Brendon McCullum appeared to raise concerns over Stokes's mental wellbeing, repeatedly voicing “worry” and “concern” for his absent captain.

Durham coach Ryan Campbell, who had recently worked alongside Stokes in the nets, told the BBC that “Ben knows he made a mistake and broke the curfew,” and said “some of the reaction has been a little over (the top).”

RFI also noted Stokes was set to return to senior cricket action on Friday as a member of the Durham side playing Northamptonshire in a Second Division County Championship at Chester-le-Street.

With England already 169 runs behind at 222-6, the BBC framed the situation as England being in a dire position after a chaotic morning on day two, including a crucial dropped catch and Glenn Phillips' maiden Test century.

“England was pegged back to 222-6 in reply to New Zealand's bonus 391 on day two of The Oval test on Thursday”

Japan Today

Japan Today said New Zealand began the day in sunshine on 291-7 and would have thought 350 a bonus with the new ball imminent, but England's own hopes of cleaning up the tail quickly were undermined by overdoing short balls and “holstering its most potent weapon, Archer.”

The BBC linked England's on-field problems to leadership and discipline, saying the hosts looked bereft of leaders, discipline and inspiration after the off-field controversy involving Stokes.

RFI reported that Stokes's curfew breach triggered speculation over his international future, including concerns he might be stripped of the England captaincy, stand down by himself or even walk away from representing his country permanently.

In the same Reuters thread, Stokes's close friend and predecessor Joe Root stepped back into the role at the Oval on a “game-by-game basis,” while Stokes was set to return to senior cricket action on Friday for Durham at Chester-le-Street.