England’s Struggles in Second Test as New Zealand Seize Control The second Test at the Oval saw England face significant challenges as New Zealand capitalized on a chaotic morning session to take control of the match. After a tense first day, where England’s bowlers struggled to contain the New Zealand batsmen, the hosts found themselves in a difficult position heading into the second day. The New Zealanders added exactly 100 runs in the first session, aided by unorthodox bowling and a lack of early breakthroughs, setting the stage for a commanding lead. Emilio Gay, England’s opener, acknowledged the difficulties faced by his team but emphasized that the outcome was a result of bad luck rather than poor planning. “Ideally, it wasn’t what we wanted to happen, but that’s cricket,” Gay said. He noted that while the team’s strategy remained intact, the lack of early wickets and the timing of deliveries left them vulnerable. Gay admitted that the team’s approach was sound, but the conditions and the opposition’s execution made it hard to secure crucial breakthroughs. The morning session was particularly frustrating for England, as they struggled to contain Glenn Phillips, who eventually scored his first Test century. Phillips, who completed his milestone on the day before the anniversary of his father’s death, expressed his emotions after the innings. “Today is close enough for the moment to matter,” he said. “Obviously he’d have loved to be here to see that, and Test cricket was his favourite format, so I know he was watching.” Phillips’ century, combined with contributions from other New Zealand batters, helped the visitors reach 391 by lunch. England’s response was lackluster, with their bowlers failing to make an impact early in the day.#new_zealand #england #glenn_phillips #jordan_cox #emilio_gay
The Hundred 2026: Men's Auction as Joe Root, Adil Rashid & Jordan Cox Earn Deals The men's player auction for the 2026 edition of The Hundred has seen several high-profile signings, with teams finalizing their squads ahead of the tournament. Welsh Fire secured the services of England captain Joe Root and all-rounder Jordan Cox for £240,000 and £300,000 respectively, while Adil Rashid joined Southern Brave for £250,000. Tom Curran returned to MI London for £260,000, and South Africa's Aiden Markram and David Miller signed with Manchester Super Giants and Southern Brave, respectively. The auction also featured a significant number of Pakistan players, with 16 of them entering the bidding process. IPL-linked teams were not restricted from signing these players, reflecting the growing global appeal of The Hundred. Teams are required to select between 14 and 16 players for their squads, ensuring a competitive balance across the competition. Among the notable signings, Manchester Super Giants made a strategic move by acquiring fast bowler Gus Atkinson for £70,000, a relatively modest fee for a player with international experience. Atkinson, who previously played for Oval Invincibles, will join the Super Giants after a brief stint with the Invincibles. Analysts noted that his availability could be affected by Test commitments, which may have influenced the lower price tag. Tom Curran’s return to MI London for £260,000 was another highlight, as the all-rounder brings a strong track record to the team. Curran’s ability to impact matches with both bat and ball, averaging 24 wickets per season, makes him a valuable asset. His signing was seen as a key addition to MI London’s squad, especially with the team aiming to build on its previous performances.#the_hundred_2026 #welsh_fire #joe_root #adil_rashid #jordan_cox
