Bethell's 2-8 checks New Zealand at 291/7 on Day 1 of 2nd Test at The Oval
Synopsis
New Zealand looked set for a dominant close at The Oval until Jacob Bethell's five-over burst of 2/8 in the final session changed the complexion of Day 1. With Glenn Phillips unbeaten on 49 and the tail intact, the second Test is perfectly poised — but England's late fightback, orchestrated by a part-timer, is the story of the day.
Key Takeaways
New Zealand closed Day 1 of the 2nd Test at 291/7 in 77 overs at The Oval, London on 18 June .
Tom Blundell top-scored with 51 off 84 balls ; Glenn Phillips remained unbeaten on 49 off 74 .
Part-time spinner Jacob Bethell took 2/8 in five overs in the final session to check New Zealand's momentum.
Matt Fisher ended a four-year Test wicket drought by dismissing Devon Conway lbw for 9 .
Stand-in captain Joe Root led England after Ben Stokes was stood down following a nightclub incident post the Lord's Test.
Sonny Baker took 2/63 ; Jofra Archer returned to the Test side and claimed a wicket.
Jacob Bethell claimed two late wickets with his part-time spin to swing momentum back toward England on the opening day of the second Test at The Oval, London, on Wednesday, 18 June, as New Zealand closed on 291/7 in 77 overs. A composed middle-order stand anchored by Tom Blundell's 51 and Glenn Phillips's unbeaten 49 had threatened to hand the tourists a commanding position before Bethell intervened.
Early Blows Set the Tone
The day started late, with play delayed 30 minutes due to wet ground conditions. Stand-in England captain Joe Root — deputising for Ben Stokes, who was stood down following his involvement in a nightclub incident after England's first-Test win at Lord's — won the toss and elected to field. The hosts responded with sharp early bowling, reducing New Zealand to 75/2 at lunch.
Matt Fisher ended a four-year wait for a Test wicket by trapping Devon Conway lbw for 9. Bethell then pouched a stunning catch to give Jofra Archer a wicket on his return to the Test arena. Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker struck early in the afternoon session to push New Zealand further back to 106/4.
Blundell and Phillips Rebuild
Tom Blundell anchored the recovery with a measured 51 off 84 balls, stitching partnerships of 81 runs with Daryl Mitchell (44 off 74) and 75 runs with Glenn Phillips (49 not out off 74). The Black Caps appeared on course to close the day in a position of strength, threatening to carry momentum into Day 2.
Bethell Turns the Match
In the final session, Bethell bowled a five-over spell in tandem with short-pitched pressure from Archer, removing both Blundell and Nathan Smith (4) to finish with figures of 2/8. The twin strikes halted New Zealand's scoring and left the Test evenly balanced heading into Day 2. Notably, this is only the second time in the current series that England have managed to peg back the tourists after a substantial middle-order stand.
Brief Scorecard
New Zealand 291/7 in 77 overs — Tom Blundell 51, Daryl Mitchell 44, Glenn Phillips 49 not out; Sonny Baker 2/63, Jacob Bethell 2/8 — vs England.
With Phillips still at the crease and the lower order to come, New Zealand will look to push past 350 on Day 2, while England will target early wickets to keep their grip on the match.
Point of View
Stood down after a nightclub incident, is an awkward reminder that the 'Bazball' era's cultural confidence can occasionally collide with off-field optics. On the field, Bethell's two-wicket burst is a useful result but should not obscure the fact that New Zealand's middle order — Blundell, Mitchell, Phillips — showed genuine discipline against a full-strength England attack. If Phillips farms the strike early on Day 2, the tourists could still post a total that makes this a very different Test.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Day 1 scorecard of the 2nd Test between England and New Zealand at The Oval?
New Zealand closed Day 1 at 291/7 in 77 overs at The Oval, London, on 18 June. Tom Blundell made 51, Daryl Mitchell 44, and Glenn Phillips remained unbeaten on 49; Jacob Bethell took 2/8 and Sonny Baker 2/63 for England.
Why is Joe Root captaining England instead of Ben Stokes in the 2nd Test?
Ben Stokes was stood down from the 2nd Test following his involvement in a nightclub incident after England's first-Test win at Lord's. Joe Root stepped in as stand-in captain for the match at The Oval.
How did Jacob Bethell change the game on Day 1?
Bethell, bowling part-time spin in the final session, dismissed Tom Blundell and Nathan Smith in a five-over spell to finish with figures of 2/8. His intervention, combined with short-pitched bowling from Jofra Archer, halted New Zealand's scoring and left the Test evenly poised.
What was notable about Matt Fisher's wicket on Day 1?
Matt Fisher ended a four-year wait for a Test wicket when he trapped Devon Conway lbw for 9 in the morning session. It was a significant personal milestone for the bowler on his return to Test cricket.
What can we expect on Day 2 of the 2nd Test at The Oval?
Glenn Phillips, unbeaten on 49, will resume with the New Zealand lower order, and the tourists will aim to push past a competitive total. England will look to take early wickets to consolidate the advantage Bethell's late burst gave them at the close of Day 1.
