London, June 19:
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.
Following an encouraging first-day performance from a team without captain Ben Stokes, England surrendered the initiative through strange tactics, a crucial dropped catch and a wonderful maiden Test century from Glenn Phillips.
It meant New Zealand were able to move from their overnight 291-7 to 391 all out.
Though Emilio Gay made a half-century and stand-in captain Joe Root 46, England lost three wickets for 35 runs to slip to 177-5.
And when James Rew gloved the hostile Will O’Rourke late in the day, England were left 222-6, 169 behind with the tail exposed. Jordan Cox is unbeaten on 22, alongside Jofra Archer on nought.
England set the tone for their own troubles with the very first ball of the day – laying a short-ball trap for Sonny Baker bowling to Kyle Jamieson. Baker’s bouncer went for four byes and the day got worse from there.
Jamieson made a vital 41 after a horrible drop by Ben Duckett when he was on 15. Archer did not bowl for the first 90 minutes of the day, including with the second new ball, but then struck with his fourth delivery.
The home side caused another of their own problems when Duckett was run out for 36, called for a short single by Gay that was never there.
Gay and Root added 74, only for Root and Harry Brook to both be lbw to Matt Henry in a huge double blow to England.