England faced a 253-run defeat against New Zealand in the second Test at The Oval, leveling the series at 1-1 and setting up an exciting decider at Trent Bridge. Acting captain Joe Root had more appearances than the entire team combined, highlighting the inexperience of the English side.

Player Ratings:

• Ben Duckett: 4
  Showed promise with a quick 36 off 25 balls but fell victim to a run-out.

• Emilio Gay: 5
  England's top scorer with a determined half-century in the first innings.

• Jacob Bethell: 3
  Struggled with scores of 9 and 0, raising concerns about his position at number three.

• Joe Root: 6
  Scored 77 in the second innings, becoming the second player to reach 14,000 Test runs.

• Harry Brook: 5
  Provided entertainment with a flashy half-century but needed a more substantial contribution.

• James Rew: 3
  Looked out of his depth on debut with 24 and 15, and struggled with wicketkeeping.

• Jofra Archer: 7
  England's standout performer with five wickets, showcasing ferocious pace.

• Matthew Fisher: 6
  Contributed a determined half-century and maintained pressure with the ball.

• Tom Latham: 6
  Struggled as a batsman but captained effectively.

• Henry Nicholls: 8
  Stepped up with a crucial century, filling in for Kane Williamson.

• Glenn Phillips: 8
  Scored a fluent hundred, becoming the third New Zealander to achieve centuries in all formats.

• Matt Henry: 9
  The standout player, earning Player of the Match honors with 11 wickets, including key dismissals of Root and Brook.

This match underscored the challenges facing the young England side while showcasing New Zealand's depth and skill.