England Test cricket team has been in a bit of roll in recent times. Ben Stokes’s captaincy career has gotten off to a great start. The New Zealand born English all rounder has teamed up well with former Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum. The duo have combined to win series against New Zealand, South Africa and the sole test against India. The English team had also won the away series against Pakistan winning the series with a 3-0 margin.
The story as it happened –
England are in New Zealand for a short 2 match test series. The first game of the series is a day and night test match being played at the Bay Oval at Mt. Maunganui. The series has no relevance for either teams in the race for WTC finals. It was the 1st chance for England to show their might to the outgoing WTC champs Kiwis in the return series.
Harry Brook leaves fans stunned with an amazing six –
Harry Brook is an upcoming talent that has been earning rave reviews from experts and fans across the world. The 23 year old had scored heavily during the 3 match series against Pakistan. Brook had 5 sixes in a single over in the only warm up game ahead of the 1st test.
On Thursday, Brook showed his class again in the 1st innings of the English innings. The moment of the match came in the 45th over with Kiwi skipper Tim Southee bowling to Harry Brook. The kiwi skipper bowled on a length as Brook slammed his foot and played a perfect pick up shot over Mid-off for a huge six to leave the crowd gasping.
Pick this one out 😍
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 16, 2023
Harry Brook with some shot for a maximum over mid off 🤩
The runs keep on coming for England 🏴#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/3l8Xd7PkWE
Ben Duckett gives England a blistering start –
Tim Southee gave the home team a good start when he had Zak Crawley caught by Bracewell for 4. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope added 99 for the 2nd wicket in quick time. Duckett 84 off 68 balls with 14 fours to his name before falling to Tickner caught by Bracewell. Pope was out for 42, while former skipper Joe Root scored 14.
Harry brook scores quick 89 as England declare at 325/9 –
The top scorer for the visiting English side was Harry Brook who scored 89 off 81 balls with 15 fours and that six off Southee. The other batters like Ben Stokes with 19 and Ben Foakes with 38 helped England push on their scoring . when Jack Leach fell for 2, Ben Stokes called his players back in the 59th over with the score reading 325/9. Neil Wagner picked 4/82, while Southee and Kuggeleijn picked 2 wickets each.
Anderson strikes twice with Kiwis in huge trouble –
New Zealand ended the day in trouble with the score reading 37/3. Robinson got the wicket of Latham for 1. Anderson then got 2 wickets, first Williamson for 6, followed by Nicholls for 4. At stumps Devon Conway was on 17, along with Neil Wagner on 4.