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.
Brendon Maccullum Sport News
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.
Ben Stokes hopes counties take up 'Bazball' mantle
England have won nine of their last 10 Tests since captain Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum took charge last year and imbued the team's batsmen with an attacking mindset.The England Lions, the country's second-tier team, have taken up the mantle, with Jamie Smith smashing 126 from 82 balls in the first innings of the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka 'A' last week.Opener Alex Lees, who was dropped from Stokes's England last year after struggling for runs, scored 97 from 113 balls in the same innings for the Lions in another knock straight out of the 'Bazball' playbook.
England captain Stokes hopes counties take up 'Bazball' mantle
Ben Stokes hopes the 'Bazball' revolution that has shaken up test cricket and led an English resurgence can also fire up the domestic county game.
Depleted New Zealand face red-hot England as 'Bazball' takes centre stage
A weakened New Zealand side have the unenviable task of trying to counter England's bold new style of playing Test cricket when a two-match series begins in Mount Maunganui on Thursday.
England's Broad returns for New Zealand test
Pace bowler Stuart Broad will return for England for the first test in their two-match series against New Zealand which starts in Mount Maunganui on Thursday.
New Zealand mount home defence against England's 'Bazball'
A diminished New Zealand will battle to bring high-flying England back to earth in a two-test series starting in Mount Maunganui on Thursday, having been the first casualties of Brendon McCullum's 'Bazball' last year.
West Indies series omission saved test career, says Broad
Stuart Broad has said the decision not to select him for England's tour of the West Indies last year helped save his test career.