WELLINGTON: Harry Brook’s explosive century helped England take control on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand on Friday, with the visitors finishing in a dominant position. After posting 280 in their first innings, England’s bowlers followed up Brook’s brilliant knock by taking five wickets in the final session to leave New Zealand at 86-5.
Brook, who had previously scored a match-winning 171 in the first Test at Christchurch, delivered another stellar performance, scoring 123 off 115 balls. His knock, which included five sixes and 11 fours, rescued England from a precarious 43-4 early on the green Basin Reserve pitch. Brook later described his century as his “favourite” of his eight centuries in 23 Tests, even surpassing his 317 against Pakistan in Multan earlier this year.
The defining moment of England’s innings came when Brook shared a vital fifth-wicket partnership with Ollie Pope, who contributed 66. Their stand of 174 runs off 158 balls shifted the momentum, with both players counter-attacking with precision. However, Brook was run out on the last ball of the second session, ending a fine innings.
New Zealand’s reply was fraught with difficulties, as England’s seamers took full advantage of the conditions. Devon Conway and Tom Latham were both dismissed cheaply, and Rachin Ravindra followed soon after. Kane Williamson, who had battled through some close calls, was caught by Ollie Pope off Brydon Carse for 37. Daryl Mitchell then fell to Carse as well, leaving the Black Caps reeling at 74-5.
At stumps, Tom Blundell was unbeaten on seven, while nightwatchman Will O’Rourke remained scoreless. England will look to build on their momentum on Day 2, with New Zealand needing a strong performance to recover from their difficult position.
SCOREBOARD:
ENGLAND (1st Innings):
Z. Crawley b Henry 17
B. Duckett c Latham b Henry 0
J. Bethell c Blundell b Smith 16
J. Root c Mitchell b Smith 3
H. Brook run out 123
O. Pope c Ravindra b O’Rourke 66
B. Stokes c Latham b O’Rourke 2
C. Woakes c Blundell b O’Rourke 18
G. Atkinson c Phillips b Smith 4
B. Carse c O’Rourke b Smith 9
S. Bashir not out 0
EXTRAS (B-1, LB-7, NB-2, W-12) 22
TOTAL (all out, 54.4 overs) 280
NEW ZEALAND (1st Innings):
T. Latham b Stokes 17
D. Conway c Brook b Atkinson 11
K. Williamson c Pope b Carse 37
R. Ravindra c Carse b Woakes 3
D. Mitchell c Pope b Carse 6
W. O’Rourke not out 0
T. Blundell not out 7
EXTRAS (LB-1, NB-4) 5
TOTAL (for five wickets, 26 overs) 86
