The first pink-ball Test match of the England tour of New Zealand is currently underway at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, and the visitors batting first have declared their innings on 325/9.
Electing to bowl first, New Zealand failed to put pressure on England as opener Ben Duckett added 84 runs for his team before falling prey to Blair Tickner. Ollie Pope also played a decent knock of 42 runs for his side. Meanwhile, coming to bat at no. 5, Harry Brook missed a well-deserved ton and was sent back to the pavilion by Neil Wagner for 89 runs.
During his knock, Brook hit 15 fours and a six. The only maximum by Brook came off New Zealand skipper Tim Southee. On a fuller delivery by Southee, the 23-year-old executed an elegant straight drive to send the ball across the boundary rope. While Ben Foakes appreciated Brook’s shot at the other end, Southee seemed surprised.
Here’s the video:
Pick this one out 😍
Harry Brook with some shot for a maximum over mid off 🤩
The runs keep on coming for England 🏴#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/3l8Xd7PkWE
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 16, 2023
The on-air commentator post the shot heaped praises for Brook as well and was heard saying: “Ohh! What a shot, that is classical, that is a great cricket shot.”
Brook so far has appeared for England in four Test matches and has 480 runs to his name at an impressive average of 80. He has slammed three tons in just seven Test innings, and his highest individual score in the format is 153, which he scored against Pakistan.
Talking about New Zealand’s bowling, Wagner grabbed four wickets in the first innings of the game, while Southee and Scott Kuggeleijn also picked up two wickets each.
In reply, the hosts were just 37/3 at the end of Day 1. Experiences campaigner James Anderson sent back Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls for 6 and 4 respectively.
Left-handed batter Devon Conway (17) and tailender Neil Wagner (4) will start the proceedings in the afternoon session on Friday, February 17.
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