Harry Brook’s century guides England, leaving New Zealand on the ropes on Day 1
New Zealand trail by 194 runs, having failed to make significant progress after England posted 280 in their opening innings, with Harry Brook top-scoring with 123.
England finished Day 1 of the second Test against New Zealand in a dominant position, with the hosts left struggling at 86/5 in their first innings.
New Zealand trail by 194 runs, having failed to make significant progress after England posted 280 in their opening innings, with Harry Brook top-scoring with 123.
The day began with England's openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, making a cautious start. However, Duckett was dismissed early for just 2, caught off Matt Henry (2/43) at second slip.
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Crawley, who had shown promise, was also dismissed for 17, bowled out by Henry. The English batting woes continued when Daryl Mitchell pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch at first slip to dismiss Joe Root for 3, following Nathan Smith's delivery that caught Root's outside edge.
Smith, who had been in excellent form, continued his dominance by removing Jacob Bethell for 16, leaving England reeling at 43/4 by the 13th over.
However, the partnership between Harry Brook and Ollie Pope turned the tide in England's favour.
The pair shared a stand of 174 runs for the fifth wicket, off 158 balls, steadily rebuilding the innings with attacking strokes.
Brook brought up his second century of the series, scoring a fluent 123 from 115 balls, including 11 fours and five sixes.
Pope supported him well, making 66 off 78 balls. The partnership was broken when William O'Rourke (3/49) dismissed Pope and captain Ben Stokes (2).
Brook, soon after, was run out by Nathan Smith, as England were eventually bowled out for 280 in 54.4 overs.
Smith's performance was a highlight for New Zealand, as he finished with figures of 4/86.
In reply, New Zealand's innings got off to a poor start. Devon Conway, attempting an ambitious shot off Gus Atkinson, was caught by Harry Brook for just 11.
Tom Latham and Kane Williamson tried to steady the ship, putting together a brief 35-run stand. However, England struck again when Ben Stokes, with his "golden arm", had Latham dismissed, chopping onto his stumps for 14.
New Zealand's struggles intensified in the final session. Brydon Carse (2/28) was instrumental in the collapse, dismissing both Williamson (37) and Daryl Mitchell (6).
By the close of play, New Zealand were in a perilous position at 86/5, with O'Rourke and Tom Blundell managing to survive the remaining overs.
