There were no pitch issues at The Oval, England's problems were all of their own making as they slumped to a 253-run defeat in the absence of captain Ben Stokes that saw New Zealand level the series ahead of the third Test at Trent Bridge - here's how the players fared.
Batting: 45
Unfortunate to be run out by his partner on 36 in the first innings, but gave his wicket away at a crucial stage of England's attempted record run chase. Cost England runs and momentum in a match-altering morning session on day two when he dropped a dolly with Kyle Jamieson on 15.
Batting: 64
Claimed a second Test half-century in as many matches to underline his talent and temperament for this stage, but badly ran out Duckett in the first innings. Took three catches but could have been sharper in the field, a criticism that could be levelled at England as a whole.
Batting: 9; Bowling: (4-75)
More influential with the ball than the bat. His two wickets at the close on day one gave England hope but also led to an over-reliance that belied his ability. Could do nothing about the nip-backer from Jamieson that ended his second innings but departed leaving England needing more.
Batting: 123; Bowling: (0-37)
Unfazed, unflappable, unequalled. Passing 14,000 Test runs while anchoring an improbable chase epitomised Joe Root - the cricketer, the professional, the man. This performance did little, though, for his reputation as captain, with over-tinkered fields and a misjudged bouncer barrage forming the lasting memory after he replaced Stokes in England's hour of need.
Batting: 82; Bowling: (0-18)
Continues to do things with a cricket bat you didn't think were possible - and things you wish he hadn't. From an audacious back-foot six in the first innings to a rapid 33-ball fifty in the second, and atoning for dropped catches and a pivotal dismissal on day four, Brook is rarely far from the story.
Batting: 39
A chastening Test debut for the Somerset wicketkeeper, who was put through his paces by the Oval pitch and spilled chances to remove Henry Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra that might have helped England turn the tide. His dismissal late on day four, when Will O'Rourke exposed his weakness to the shorter ball, left the writing on the wall for England.
Batting: 52
Showcased his prowess as an elite fielder on Test debut but failed to push on from encouraging starts in both innings. Was the last to fall, to a leg-stump yorker from Matt Henry, as New Zealand sealed victory.
Batting: 8; Bowling: (5-123)
A welcome yet frustrating Test return for Archer, who went missing for spells when England needed a wicket. Box office when in full flow, his battle with Glenn Phillips was engrossing, and he was virtually unplayable on day four, dismissing Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls and Phillips. Would have had more to show had catches been taken.
Batting: 50; Bowling: (5-120)
Five wickets - including that of first-innings centurion Phillips - and a maiden Test half-century represented a more than solid few days' work for the Surrey seamer on his first England appearance in four years.
Batting: 1; Bowling: (3-161)
Fell well short of the impact Archer and Fisher had on the game. With the action he has, and the angle from which he attacks the stumps, it is a wonder Tongue did not extract more from an Oval pitch that offered so much.
Batting: 4; Bowling: (3-161)
Unfortunately, Baker's sheer enthusiasm alone was not enough to steer England past a steely New Zealand side, but the Hampshire bowler arguably made the strongest contribution of the three debutants with his first three Test wickets.
Watch all of England's home international summer live on Your Site as the three-Test series against New Zealand continues at The Oval from June 17. .
