New Zealand take a firm grip on the second Test against England at The Oval after Glenn Phillips scores his maiden Test century and helps the tourists establish a commanding first-innings lead. With New Zealand in a strong position, England lose key wickets as the home side’s batting collapses. The sources highlight that Joe Root and Harry Brook are both dismissed during New Zealand’s spell, changing the balance of the match in the visitors’ favour. The combination of Phillips’ century and the subsequent breakthrough wickets allows New Zealand to move from building their total to taking control of England’s response. The reports consistently describe Root and Brook as pivotal wickets in the phase of play that swings momentum towards New Zealand. Overall, the match narrative centres on Phillips’ first Test century, the resulting first-innings advantage for New Zealand, and the loss of early-reliance England batsmen as the England innings unravels.