Tom Blundell century for New Zealand leaves Test against England finely poised
A Tom Blundell century for New Zealand and two late England batting stumbles left the first Test tantalisingly poised at Mount Maunganui on Friday.
Ollie Robinson Sport News
New Zealand vs England, 1st Test: New Zealand-England Finely Poised After Tom Blundell Century
A Tom Blundell century for New Zealand and two late England batting stumbles left the first Test tantalisingly poised at Mount Maunganui on Friday. The tourists held a 98-run lead with eight second-innings wickets in hand and still three days to play in a fast-moving day-night Test at the Bay Oval. Blundell's career-best 138 steered his side to 306 and just 19 runs short of England's 325-9 declared. The delicate nature of the contest didn't prevent the tourists playing their shots, although they lost openers Ben Duckett, for 25, and Zak Crawley, for 28, in reaching 79-2 off 16 overs.
Blundell stands firm with half-century, New Zealand 238-8
:Tom Blundell scored a defiant half-century and frustrated England for an entire session as New Zealand reached 238 for eight at the dinner break on day two of the first pink ball test on Friday.
Conway digs in for half-century as England turn screws on New Zealand
Devon Conway hung tough for a half-century after England grabbed two wickets to leave New Zealand 138 for five at tea on the second day of the first pink ball test in Mount Maunganui on Friday.
England vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 2, Live Score Updates
New Zealand vs England 1st Test Day 2 Live Updates:England ended Day 1 of the first Test against New Zealand on a dominating note as the hosts are struggling at 37/3 and are trailing by 288 runs. Top knocks from Harry Brook (89) and Ben Duckett (84) guided England to a huge total before the team declared at 325/9 against New Zealand on Day 1 of the first Test on Thursday. Apart from them, Ollie Pope also smashed 42 runs and helped his side dominate the hosts. Later, James Anderson led the bowling unit as he scalped two wickets while Ollie Robinson took one. New Zealand finished at 37/3 at stumps with Devon Conway (17*) and Neil Wagner (4*) standing unbeaten at the crease. (LIVE SCORECARD)
England in command of first test as 'Bazball' hits New Zealand
:A swashbuckling England raced to a sporting total with the bat then crashed through New Zealand's top order as "Bazball" made its pink ball debut on day one of the first test in Mount Maunganui on Thursday.
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.