Matt Henry shatters huge record as New Zealand thump England at The Oval to level series

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Matt Henry shatters huge record as New Zealand thump England at The Oval to level series

June 21, 2026

Matt Henry celebrates — Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers at The Oval finishing with 11 wickets in the match

Fast bowler Matt Henry registered the best bowling figures for a New Zealand bowler in England as they defeated the hosts by 253 runs at The Oval to level the three-match Test series 1-1. Henry finished with match figures of 11/109, beating Dion Nash’s record that stood for over three decades.

Best match figures for NZ bowler in ENG

11/109 Matt Henry, The Oval, 2026
11/169, Dion Nash, Lord’s 1994
10/108 Tim Southee, Lord’s 2013
10/140 Jack Cowie, Manchester, 1937
10/140 Richard Hadlee, Nottingham, 1986

It took New Zealand just 50 minutes on Day 5 to pick up the remaining five wickets. Joe Root was the first to go for 77, trapped in front by Henry. England lost their last five wickets, including root for just 21 runs in 49 balls. Barring Root, only Harry Brook scored an attacking fifty in the fourth innings, as England folded for just 209.

NZ always on top

New Zealand were in control throughout the match, especially after putting up 391 on the board, thanks to a hundred from Glenn Phillips and 51 from Tom Blundell. Daryl Mitchell (44), Kyle Jamieson (41), Rachin Ravindra (33), Henry Nicholls (24) and Tom Latham (27) too chipped in with a few valuable runs.

In reply, England conceded a 100-run lead despite fifties from Emilio Gay (53) and Matthew Fisher (50*). Root also chipped in with a valuable 46. Henry led the way once again for New Zealand with 5/80.

However, the Black Caps completely killed the game off in their second innings, putting up 362, setting England 463 to win. Henry Nicholls made the best of his opportunity, hitting 121, while Ravindra (76) and Mitchell (68) also scored half-centuries.

In the second innings, Henry bowled a superb spell of 6/29 to completely dismantle England.

With the series level at 1-1, the two teams will play the decider from June 25 (Thursday) onwards at Trent Bridge.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 391 (Glenn Phillips 100, Tom Blundell 51; Jacob Bethell 3/26) & 362 (Henry Nicholls 121, Daryl Mitchell 68; Matthew Fisher 3/58) beat England 291 (Emilio Gay 53, Matthew Fisher 50*; Matt Henry 5/80) & 209 (Joe Root 77, Harry Brook 58; Matt Henry 6/29) by 253 runs

Player of the Match: Matt Henry

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