Blundell leads New Zealand fightback in England first Test
A rollicking Tom Blundell century propelled New Zealand back into contention before two late England batting stumbles left the first Test tantalisingly poised at Mount Maunganui on Friday.
Blair Tickner Sport News
Attack-minded England take control of first Test in New Zealand
High-octane batting and a precocious day-one declaration put England in control of the first Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on Thursday.
1st Test: Attack-minded England take control on Day 1 against New Zealand
The Black Caps limped to 37-3 at stumps in the day-night Test at the Bay Oval, having been thrust on to the back foot by England's swashbuckling 325-9 declared.The tourists raced to their total in just 58.2 overs -- boosted by blistering half-centuries to Ben Duckett and Harry Brook -- as England opened the two-Test series with the sort of attacking approach, dubbed "Bazball", that has carried them to nine wins from their past 10 Tests under coach Brendon McCullum.England captain Ben Stokes instructed his lower-order batsmen to throw the bat before calling them in, leaving 18 overs to bowl at the Black Caps under lights with a new pink ball.
Brook half-century pushes England to 279-5
:Harry Brook quelled a New Zealand fightback by smashing a fast half-century to push England to 279 for five at the dinner break in the first day-night test in Mount Maunganui on Thursday.
England vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 1 Live Score: Tourists Look To Cross 300-run Mark In 1st Innings
New Zealand vs England 1st Test Day 1 LIVE:Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope provided England as solid start on Day 1 of the first Test against New Zealand as Ben Stokes' men kicked-off the tour Down Under on Thursday. Zak Crawley departed for just 3 runs before Duckett and Pope stabilised the English ship. However, a string of quick wickets saw England lose the plot in the middle. Tim Southee has been New Zealand's most dangerous bowler, picking 2 wickets so far. The visitors, however, will still hope to put over 300 runs on the board. (LIVE Scorecard)
England 134-2 as 'Bazball' pounds New Zealand on day one
Ben Duckett blasted a rapid-fire half-century as England raced to 134 for two at tea on day one of the first test against a New Zealand side that felt the full force of 'Bazball' early on at Mount Maunganui on Thursday.
England's Stuart Broad returns for first Test against New Zealand
Stuart Broad on Wednesday for this week's first Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui, reuniting his strike partnership with veteran James Anderson.Broad, who has 566 Test wickets, will lead the attack alongside 40-year-old Anderson, England's all-time leading bowler with 675 dismissals and seamer Ollie Robinson.Skipper and all-rounder Ben Stokes, who will lead England in the country of his birth for the first time, will be the fourth seam option with spinner Jack Leach completing the bowling attack for the day-night encounter beginning Thursday.The 36-year-old Broad missed the 3-0 Test series win over Pakistan in December following the birth of his child.
New Zealand paceman Blair Tickner to make Test debut against England
Tim Southee has confirmed paceman Blair Tickner will make his Test debut against England at Mount Maunganui on Thursday but said selectors will wait until the morning of the match to finalise the team.Tickner gets his chance in the pink ball series opener with Kyle Jamieson sidelined due to injury, Matt Henry on leave for the birth of his first child and Trent Boult overlooked after opting out of his national contract.The 29-year-old Central Districts bowler has played in 17 T20Is and nine ODIs for the Black Caps but has a modest first class average of 35.17 in 61 matches.He is expected to slot into a pace attack featuring veteran quick Southee and Neil Wagner, and possibly one of either Jacob Duffy and Scott Kuggeleijn if selectors go with a four-prong seam attack.