Harry Brook continued his great form in the Test format with a knock of 171(197) in the ongoing first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Batting first, New Zealand posted 348 runs in the first innings as Kane Williamson top scored with 93(197), while Brydon Carse and Shoaib Bashir scalped four wickets each for England. In reply to New Zealand’s total, England got a poor start as they lost four wickets for just 71 runs.
After England lost four wickets early, Harry Brook took charge of the innings along with Ollie Pope (77 off 98) as the duo added 151 runs for the fifth wicket. After that, skipper Ben Stokes also played at captain’s knock of 80(146) runs, and added 159 runs with Brook. In his knock of 197 balls, Harry Brook smashed 15 fours and three sixes. England were eventually bowled out for 499 runs, taking a lead of 151 runs in the first innings. For New Zealand, Matt Henry took four wickets, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee and William O’ Rourke scalped three, two, and one wicket respectively.
Kane Williamson becomes first Kiwi batter to amass 9000 Test runs
Coming to bat in the second innings, star New Zealand batter Kane Williamson achieved a new milestone during his knock. The right-hander scored 61(86) with seven boundaries With this, Williamson also became the first-ever batter from New Zealand to cross 9000 runs in Test cricket. He is New Zealand’ highest run getter in Test cricket with 9035 runs in 103 games.
Talking about the match, New Zealand were at 155/6 by the end of day three with a lead of four runs so far. The hosts lost three wickets early at the score of 64 runs, before Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips added 69 runs for the fourth wicket. Currently, Phillips is still at the crease with 31*(99) runs alongside Nathan Smith (1* off 12) ahead of day four. For England, Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes scalped three wickets each in the second innings.
