England dominated the first day, declared the innings at 325 for nine
Ben Duckett (84 runs) and Harry Brook (89 runs) struck half-centuries as England declared their first innings at 325 for nine on the first day of the day-night Test against New Zealand on Thursday. The sky was overcast but it did not rain, so England declared in 58.2 overs, with Duckett scoring 84 off 68 balls with 14 fours and Brook scoring 89 off 80 balls with 15 fours and a six. With 85 minutes of the day’s play remaining, England’s bowlers were three for 37 in New Zealand’s first innings at stumps.
New Zealand’s Tom Latham (01), Kane Williamson (06) and Henry Nicholls (04) have gone to the pavilion. Devon Conway was present at the crease after scoring 19 runs. James Anderson took two wickets for 10 runs in seven overs for England. Under the guidance of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, England have won nine of their last 10 Tests in a new way of playing. The team went out to bat after losing the toss. During this, Duckett scored his fifth half-century in eight Tests, for which he took 36 balls.
He shared a 99-run partnership with Ollie Pope for the second wicket. After Duckett’s dismissal, the score was 134 for two. Two of New Zealand’s fast bowlers, Blair Tickner and Scott Kuzelijn, made their debuts. After the departure of Duckett, Brook faced the New Zealand bowlers strongly and completed his half-century in 43 balls with 10 fours. Neil Wagner bowled him.
Then the tail-end batsmen of England were getting out in an attempt to score fast runs. Then England decided to declare the innings. For New Zealand, Wagner took four wickets for 82 runs in 16.2 overs. England’s bowlers did not allow New Zealand’s top order to survive. Ollie Robinson dismissed Latham while Anderson took the wickets of two batsmen.
