Easy victory for NZ as Champions Trophy nears

New Zealand secured a dominant nine-wicket victory, on Sunday, over Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Basin Reserve. A clinical performance by the hosts saw them comfortably chase down a target of 179, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

After winning the toss, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner opted to bowl first on a green surface, and his decision paid dividends as the Blackcaps' bowlers ripped through Sri Lanka's top order. Matt Henry was the standout performer, claiming four wickets for just 19 runs in his ten overs, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Sri Lanka's innings never gained momentum, with early strikes leaving them reeling at 23 for 4 inside the first ten overs. Despite a brief resistance from Janith Liyanage (36 off 54) and Wanindu Hasaranga (35 off 33), the visitors struggled to build meaningful partnerships. Eventually, they were bowled out for 178 in 43.4 overs.

In response, New Zealand's opening duo of Will Young and Rachin Ravindra laid a solid foundation with a 93-run partnership. Ravindra was dismissed for a well-made 45, but Young continued his fine form, finishing unbeaten on 90. Mark Chapman joined him to guide the hosts across the finish line, with Chapman contributing 29 not out.

Young sealed the win in style, pulling a short ball from Chamindu Wickramasinghe for four, completing the chase in just 26.2 overs.

The teams will now head to Hamilton for the second ODI, where Sri Lanka will look to bounce back and level the series.

NZ wins T20 series against Sri Lanka

After a 2-1 loss in the Test series to England, New Zealand bounced back in a T20 series against Sri Lanka. The Blackcaps showed resilience in the opening T20, edging out the visitors by just 8 runs. The second T20 saw a more controlled effort, as New Zealand secured another win, winning the series with a game to go. 

In the first T20, New Zealand edged out Sri Lanka by just 8 runs in what proved to be the closest encounter of the series. Batting first, New Zealand found themselves at 65/4 after 9.4 overs. However, Daryl Mitchell’s gritty 62 and Michael Bracewell’s fluent 59 led a vital recovery, steering New Zealand to a competitive 172/8 by the innings break.

Sri Lanka came charging out of the blocks, racing to 120/0 after 13 overs. However, the breakthrough came when Jacob Duffy, named Man of the Match, made his mark. After bowling his full 4-over spell, Duffy finished with 3/21, including the key wicket of opener Kusal Mendis for 46. Duffy’s efforts shifted the momentum in New Zealand’s favour, with Matt Henry (2/28) and debutant Zachary Foulkes (2/41) also playing vital roles in restricting Sri Lanka’s chase who lost 8/43, as the Blackcaps clinched victory.

New Zealand’s batting was steadier in the second T20, with Tim Robinson and Rachin Ravindra combining for 82 runs, helping the Blackcaps reach 186/5 by the end of their innings. Sri Lanka, chasing a target of 187, got off to a strong start, reaching 127/4.

However, the hero of the first game, Jacob Duffy, continued his excellent form, finishing with 4/15 from 4 overs. He was well-supported by Matt Henry and captain Mitchell Santner, who each claimed two wickets. Their combined efforts helped New Zealand defend their total, as Sri Lanka fell short, and the Blackcaps secured a 45-run victory.

In the third and last T20, Sri Lanka found victory after a superb batting performance by Kusal Perera who's match winning 101, made Sri Lanka favourites to win after posting 218/5. Hope of a kiwi comeback was lived by Rachin Ravindra's 69, and Tim Robinson's 37, but in the end Sri Lanka won the match by 7 runs. 

Man of the Match went to Jacob Duffy, which was very well deserved whose bowling figures where 8/66 for the series. 

Southee departs on a high as ENG win 2-1

On the final day of the third Test at Seddon Park, New Zealand completed a resounding victory by 423 runs, as they bowled England out for just 234 runs in their second innings, with the visitors needing an improbable 658 runs to win. England’s batting once again crumbled under pressure, and despite a fighting knock from Jacob Bethell 76 and some brief resistance from Joe Root 54 and Gus Atkinson 43, New Zealand’s bowlers were relentless, wrapping up the match before tea.

Set an almost impossible target of 658 runs, England began the final day on 18/2, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett both dismissed cheaply on Day 3. England’s hopes rested on their middle order, but New Zealand’s bowlers quickly destroyed those as well.

Jacob Bethell provided the only significant resistance for England, scoring a patient 76 off 96 balls, including 13 boundaries and one six. He played some elegant strokes but was ultimately dismissed by Will O’Rourke.

Joe Root, who had been solid in the first innings, showed grit again in the second, contributing 54 runs off 64 balls. However, his dismissal to Mitchell Santner (who claimed 4 wickets for 85) at a crucial juncture dashed England's hopes of mounting a substantial recovery.

At the close of play, England’s innings ended on 234, with Ben Stokes unable to bat due to injury, leaving his team to fall short by a huge margin. The final wicket fell in the 47th over of the day, as Brydon Carse was stumped off Santner, confirming New Zealand's overwhelming victory.

Mitchell Santner was the undisputed hero of the final day. He claimed a remarkable 4 wickets for 85 runs in England’s second innings and played an instrumental role in dismantling the opposition's lower order. His performance, combined with his crucial knock of 76 runs in New Zealand's first innings, earned him the Player of the Match award. (Santner finished - 14.2 overs 85 runs 4 wickets Economy rate: 5.93)

Alongside Santner, Matt Henry and Tim Southee were pivotal in the destruction of England’s top order. Henry took 2 wickets for 62 runs, while Southee claimed 2 wickets for 34 runs in his final test match. The support from Will O’Rourke 1/37 and Santner’s all-round brilliance ensured that New Zealand maintained their stranglehold throughout England’s second innings.

Despite England’s defeat in the final Test, Harry Brook was awarded Player of the Series for his stellar performances with the bat throughout the series. Brook amassed 350 runs across the three Tests, including two crucial half-centuries. His consistency in the middle order was one of the few bright spots for England during the tour.

England won the series 2-1, and now sit 6th on the World Test Championship Standings table. 

Dominate day from Kiwis on Day 3 of the 3rd Test

As Day 3 drew to a close, it was New Zealand's day as they hold a commanding position in the 3rd Test at Seddon Park, Hamilton. England finds themselves in a difficult spot, with just 18/2 on the board in their second innings, still needing an extraordinary 640 runs to win.

New Zealand, resuming the day at 136/3, pushed their total to 453 all out, thanks to a brilliant 156 from Kane Williamson. His knock was the highlight of the day as he showed masterful control and temperament, well-supported by Daryl Mitchell's 60 and Will Young's 60. Despite a few wickets falling towards the end of the innings, including Glenn Phillips and Tim Southee, New Zealand declared, setting England a daunting target of 658.

England’s second innings began with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett opening the batting, but their hopes were quickly dashed. Matt Henry dismissed Crawley for just 5, and Tim Southee removed Duckett for 4, leaving England at 18/2 when play concluded. Jacob Bethell 9* and Joe Root 0* will resume tomorrow, with the visitors staring down the barrel of a mammoth chase.

With Steady the ship's 156 was a standout knock, featuring 20 fours and a six.  Kane Williamson's resilience and skill were on full display as he dominated England’s attack. His innings gave New Zealand a lead they hope will be enough to win the match.

England's response was subdued, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett falling cheaply to Henry and Southee. England’s top order has been under pressure throughout the match, and now, with Jacob Bethell and Joe Root in the middle, it will be crucial for them to build a partnership and make significant progress in the chase.

With 640 runs to win and 8 wickets in hand, England's chances of success seem slim. However, if Joe Root can find form and build partnerships, there is still a sliver of hope.

NZ stand with hopes high into Day 3

New Zealand strengthened their control over the 3rd Test against England on Day 2 at Seddon Park, Hamilton, extending their lead to an imposing 340 runs. After a commanding 347 in their first innings, the hosts took full advantage of an underwhelming England performance, reducing them to just 143 all out before declaring their second innings at 136/3.

England’s first innings ended disastrously, bowled out for 143 in just 35.4 overs. Matt Henry led the charge for New Zealand, finishing with figures of 4/48. Henry was well-supported by the spin of Mitchell Santner, who took 3/7, while debutant Will O’Rourke added a crucial 3-wicket haul, removing key England batsmen like Harry Brook and Joe Root.

Zak Crawley's 21 and Ben Duckett's 11 were the early casualties, both dismissed cheaply by Matt Henry, while Jacob Bethell 12, Harry Brook 0, and Joe Root 32 failed to provide much resistance. Ollie Pope 24 and Ben Stokes 27 showed brief signs of recovery but fell victim to Santner’s clever bowling.

New Zealand didn’t rest on their laurels. They came out to bat in their second innings with clear intent, adding another 136/3 by the close of Day 2. Tom Latham 19 was dismissed early by Gus Atkinson, but Will Young 60 and Kane Williamson 50* then took charge, combining for a crucial partnership of 89 runs.

Young played aggressively, reaching his half-century off just 72 balls, while Williamson’s 50 off 58 balls showcased his class and control. England's bowlers, particularly Atkinson and Stokes, struggled to make further breakthroughs. Stokes did manage to dismiss Young, but by then, New Zealand had built a solid foundation. 

NZ fight back to late in series

England’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss on Day 1 of the third Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park paid dividends as they restricted the hosts to 315/9 by the close of play. The Kiwis battled through a series of setbacks, with England’s bowlers maintaining a disciplined approach throughout the day.

New Zealand’s top order was under pressure from the outset, with only Tom Latham's 63 and Kane Williamson's 44 managing to make significant contributions. Latham’s patient knock of 63 from 135 balls was the early highlight of the day for New Zealand, as he fought to keep the innings afloat after England's bowlers made early breakthroughs.

Matthew Potts was the chief destroyer for England, claiming three vital wickets, including Latham, Williamson, and Glenn Phillips. Potts, who bowled with good pace and movement, was the standout performer with the ball, finishing the day with figures of 3 for 75 from his 21 overs.

England’s bowling attack was well-rounded, with Brydon Carse 2 for 78 and Gus Atkinson 3 for 55 also contributing to New Zealand’s collapse. The visitors were able to pick wickets regularly, frustrating the Kiwis, who struggled to build partnerships.

After a solid start, the New Zealand middle order crumbled under pressure. Rachin Ravindra's 18, Daryl Mitchell's 14, and Tom Blundell's 21 scores all fell to the England bowlers in quick succession, leaving New Zealand at a precarious 172/5 by tea.

Despite late some resistance from Mitchell Santner, who played an aggressive knock of 50* from 54 balls, New Zealand’s total never quite reached the commanding position they had hoped for. Santner’s counterattack, which included 7 boundaries and 2 sixes, was the only significant resistance late in the day as England took control of the match.

England’s bowlers kept their discipline, maintaining pressure throughout the day. The decision to bowl first seemed to be paying off as they continually broke New Zealand partnerships. England’s fielding, as always, was sharp, with Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley providing excellent support in the slip cordon. England’s efforts to take quick wickets were frustrated by Santner’s attacking approach and some solid lower-order resistance, with Tim Southee's 23 playing an enterprising possible last knock ever before falling to Atkinson.

As the new ball was taken at 80.1 overs, New Zealand had reached 300, but with just one wicket in hand. Santner, however, continued to battle, and along with Will O’Rourke on 0*, ensured New Zealand would end the day on a respectable 315/9.

England win series with one match to go

England wrapped up a dominant 323-run victory over New Zealand on the fourth day of the second Test at Basin Reserve in Wellington, with a comprehensive performance that saw them take control in all departments of the game. Set an imposing target of 583, New Zealand's second innings crumbled under the pressure, as England's bowlers ensured there was no way back for the hosts.

New Zealand’s hopes of salvaging a draw or even a win were kept alive for a while by a brilliant knock from Tom Blundell. The wicketkeeper-batsman, batting at 7, produced a superb 115 off 102 balls, smashing 13 fours and 5 sixes. His aggressive approach brought some excitement to the final day, but Blundell’s efforts ultimately proved in vain as wickets fell around him.

Blundell's counter-attacking innings was the highlight of New Zealand's chase, and he fought hard to prolong the game, but his dismissal to Shoaib Bashir for a well-made 115 left New Zealand reeling at 237/7. The English bowlers, led by Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson, and Chris Woakes, tightened the grip throughout the innings, and despite Blundell’s heroics, New Zealand’s resistance faltered.

The day began with New Zealand still needing 458 runs to win, and although they lost early wickets, Blundell's fighting spirit kept them in the game for a while. Devon Conway 0, Kane Williamson 4, and Tom Latham 24 were dismissed in the morning session, with England's pace attack, led by Ben Stokes and Woakes, making quick inroads.

However, New Zealand’s tail failed to wag as expected, with the middle order unable to get in alongside Blundell. Rachin Ravindra out for 6, Daryl Mitchell out for 32, and Glenn Phillips out for 16 all fell cheaply. Nathan Smith's 42 showed some grit, but after Blundell’s departure, the writing was on the wall. England’s bowlers remained relentless, and the final breakthrough came when Tim Southee was dismissed for just 8, with New Zealand all out for 259.

The final session saw New Zealand’s last wickets fall in quick succession. Ben Stokes, who had been instrumental in New Zealand’s collapse with the ball in the first innings, delivered the decisive blows in the second. He took 3 wickets for just 5 runs in his 2.2-over spell, including the key dismissals of Matt Henry, Tim Southee, and Nathan Smith.

Brydon Carse was equally effective, taking two wickets in the second innings and playing a vital role in breaking the New Zealand resistance. The pair’s combined effort saw New Zealand's innings come to an end with 54.2 overs bowled, and England were victorious by a commanding 323-run margin.

This victory gave England a decisive 2-0 lead in the series, with one Test left to play. The win was built on a complete team effort, with Harry Brook’s scintillating 123 in the first innings and Joe Root’s 106 in the second innings, alongside the impressive performances of Stokes, Woakes, Atkinson, and Carse with the ball. 

Clinical collapse for Kiwis as hopes to win fade

England continued their dominance in the second Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve, finishing Day 2 with a commanding lead of 533 runs. New Zealand’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss has backfired, with England’s batters piling on the pressure after dismissing the hosts for a paltry 125 in their first innings.

In response, New Zealand’s batting faltered dramatically. Kane Williamson showed some resistance with 37 runs, but the rest of the lineup crumbled under relentless pressure from England’s pace attack. Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse wreaked havoc, picking up four wickets each. New Zealand were bundled out in just 34.5 overs, conceding a 155-run deficit.

England’s second innings began with early jitters, losing Zak Crawley cheaply who has struggled against New Zealand historically. However, Ben Duckett's 92 and Jacob Bethell's 96 stitched together a brilliant 187-run partnership for the second wicket. Both narrowly missed their centuries but laid a solid foundation for the middle order.

Joe Root 73* and captain Ben Stokes 35*, are steering England to victory with 378/5 at stumps. The duo added an unbeaten 50 runs in quick time, maintaining an impressive run rate of 4.97. England's Bazball was too much for New Zealand to handle with Harry Brook, smashing 55 off 61 balls earlier in the innings.

While New Zealand’s bowlers toiled, Tim Southee and Matt Henry managed two wickets apiece. Glenn Phillips also chipped in with a wicket, but the sheer depth of England’s batting lineup made breakthroughs hard to come by.

My player of the day is Gus Atkinson for the first ever Test match hattrick at the Basin Reserve by any player. 

15 wickets fall in Day 1 in Wellington

Building on the momentum of their commanding victory in the first Test, England continued to assert their dominance on the opening day of the second Test in Wellington. After posting a competitive 280 in challenging conditions, England’s bowlers rattled New Zealand’s top order, leaving the hosts teetering at 86/5 by stumps.

The day began with England's batting lineup tested early by New Zealand’s disciplined attack. Reduced to 43/4 within the first 13 overs, the visitors seemed in trouble until Harry Brook and Ollie Pope staged another remarkable counterattack.

Brook, fresh from his sensational 171 in the first Test, carried his form into the Basin Reserve, smashing 123 off 115 balls. His knock, featuring 11 fours and 5 sixes, turned the tide after England's early collapse. Pope provided crucial support with a fluent 66, and their 174-run partnership for the fifth wicket proved pivotal.

Nathan Smith 4/86 and Will O’Rourke 3/49 led the New Zealand bowling effort, but a flurry of extras 22 runs gave flashbacks of nightmares from Christchurch.

Chasing England’s 280, New Zealand’s innings got off to a shaky start as Devon Conway fell for 11, nicking Gus Atkinson to the slips. Skipper Tom Latham 17 and Kane Williamson 37 attempted to stabilise the innings, but frequent breakthroughs from England's bowlers kept the pressure high.

Brydon Carse, claimed two crucial wickets, while Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes also struck at key moments. Williamson’s dismissal to Carse at 74/4 was a major blow, and when Daryl Mitchell followed shortly after for 6, New Zealand slumped to 86/5 at the close of play.

England's comprehensive win, one step closer to series

England have completed a clinical 8-wicket victory over New Zealand on Day 4, chasing down a target of 104 runs with reasonable ease. The win was built on solid contributions from both their bowlers and batsmen, as they took control after New Zealand's second innings faltered.

Starting the day with New Zealand’s second innings at 155/6, the final 4 wickets fell quickly on Day 3, leaving England a modest target of 104 to chase. New Zealand’s innings was lead by Daryl Mitchell, who made a defiant 84, had little to no help building a strong partnership.

Brydon Carse’s first test match 6-wicket haul 6/42 was the standout performance with the ball for England, supported by Chris Woakes 3/59 and Gus Atkinson 1/57.

By the time New Zealand's innings concluded, they had managed just 254 runs in 74.1 overs. With no further resistance from the tail, England were left with a target of 104 runs.

England started their chase but had 2 wickets early leaving Jacob Bethell and Joe Root at the crease. 

By drinks, England had surged to 95/2 in just 12 overs, with Bethell 41 and Root 23 firmly in control of the chase.

In the end, Bethell, reached a debut 50, playing with aggressive intent, from just 37 balls. Root, helped the scorecard to tick over contributing an unbeaten 23* off 15 balls. The pair quickly added the required runs in only 12.4 overs to wrap up a clinical chase and secure an easy victory for England.

The victory was built on England’s dominant all-round performance: Harry Brook’s remarkable 171 in the first innings, Matt Henry’s 4 wickets, and a superb team bowling effort that dismantled New Zealand's chances in the second innings. New Zealand's numerous dropped catches did not help them at all. 

This victory means England has secured a 1-0 series lead, leaving New Zealand to reflect on what was a disappointing performance, especially with the bat. England, on the other hand, will head into the second Test of the series with confidence and momentum to win the series in a cleansweep. 

Superb day from visitors give them high chance to win

Hagley Oval, Christchurch -- England's relentless batting display on Day 3 of the first Test against New Zealand saw them reach a mammoth 499, a commanding lead that giving them full control of the match. From a precarious position of 45 for 3 and 71 for 4 earlier in the innings, England's lower order fired, producing a remarkable recovery to leave the Kiwis searching for answers.

Harry Brook was the star of the day, scoring 171 off 197 balls. His knock included 15 fours and 3 sixes, and despite numerous dropped catches, Brook looked in complete control throughout his innings. His partnership with Ben Stokes 80 added another 150-run partnership.

Cameos from Gus Atkinson 48 and Brydon Carse 33* offered added runs accelerating the score. Atkinson in particular impressed with his aggressive strokeplay, striking at over 133, while Carse's cameo, with a strike rate of 137.5.

Extras added 28 to the total, contributing to the pressure mounting on New Zealand's bowlers.

The Blackcaps struggled to break through, with Matt Henry 4/84 the only bowler to make a significant impact. The King of Hagley, took the vital wickets of Brook, Stokes, and Shoaib Bashir for 5, but the standout performer for them was Will O'Rourke, who, despite taking just one wicket, deserved far better, as eight dropped catches hampered their efforts and in turn cost their lead. Nathan Smith, 3/141 and Tim Southee 2/85 were also expensive, with Smith having a high economy rate in his 26-over spell.

New Zealand's second innings got off to a disastrous start as they found themselves in deep trouble, after being set a daunting target, the Kiwis lost their captain Tom Latham early, leaving them reeling at 3/1 after just 4 overs. Latham's early exit was followed by Devon Conway being dismissed for 8, caught by Ben Atkinson off Carse. At 23/2, New Zealand were in deep trouble.

The experienced Kane Williamson 61 and the rookie Rachin Ravindra 24 put up little resistance, as both fell to the England bowlers. Williamson, who had looked settled at the crease, was dismissed lbw by Woakes from 86-balls, that included 7 boundaries. Ravindra was caught by Bethell off Carse, leaving New Zealand struggling at 64/4.

From there New Zealand needed a strong partnership but did not get it as Tom Blundell was dismissed for a golden duck, caught by Ben Pope off Woakes, as New Zealand slid to 133/5. England's bowlers then picked up another crucial wicket, with Glenn Phillips 19 falling lbw to Carse, leaving the visitors reeling at 153/6.

Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes were the standout bowlers for England. Carse ended the day with figures of 3/22 from 12 overs, while Woakes took 3/39 in his 13-over spell. The pair’s disciplined lines and lengths kept the New Zealand batters on edge, with Carse's deliveries proving particularly difficult to score from.

New Zealand will continue on Day 4 with 155/6 with Daryl Mitchell on 31, and debutant Nathan Smith on 1 with a lead of 4 runs.

CRICKET: Brook's ton hold up ENG collapse

Hagley Oval, Christchurch -- Harry Brook’s brilliant century led England’s mid-afternoon fightback on Day 2 as they battled to 319/5 at the close of play, only trailing New Zealand’s total of 348 by 29 runs. Brook’s composed knock, combined with a steady 77 from Ollie Pope, helped steady the ship after England’s top order hit a series of stumbling blocks from New Zealand’s disciplined seam attack early on in the day. 

England’s innings began in troubled fashion, with New Zealand's bowlers making early breakthroughs. Zak Crawley, who had failed to get going was dismissed cheaply for a duck, trapped lbw by Matt Henry in the third over.

Ben Duckett, who had looked promising, also fell before the tea break for 46, caught by Devon Conway off the bowling of William O’Rourke. The loss of both openers left England on the back foot, but it was the middle-order collapse that really started to put the tourists under pressure.

Debutant Jacob Bethell was the next to fall, caught behind for 10 off kiwi debutant Nathan Smith, and shortly after, Joe Root joined him in the pavilion, dismissed for a duck, also by Smith. The fall of two quick wickets left England at a precarious 45/4 by the 14th over, with their top order completely dismantled.

With the score reading 45/4, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook took charge, steadying the innings and preventing any further wickets from falling. Pope, who had looked confident since his arrival at the crease, brought up a composed 77 off 98 balls, while Brook was England's top of the pops, remaining unbeaten on 132* from 163 deliveries.

The pair shared an unbroken 151-run partnership for the fifth wicket, and their solid stand allowed England to reach 222/5. Both batsmen combined resilience with aggression, striking boundaries when the opportunity arose, and their efforts ensured that England did not completely lose control of the match. 

Despite his brilliant century, Harry Brook was fortunate to survive several close calls, with New Zealand dropping him on multiple occasions, further frustrating the hosts' bowling attack. Their stand was the key for England closing the gap of New Zealand’s lead.

Pope, was scoring runs from around the ground, until the 53rd over, where Pope was caught by a wonderful catch from Glenn Phillips at backward point, leaving Brook put be put in a partnership with Christchurch-born English captain Ben Stokes about an hour after tea. 

The New Zealand bowlers, particularly Matt Henry 1/50 and Nathan Smith 2/86, continued to show why the Hagley Oval pitch is so conducive to seam bowling. Henry was particularly effective in the early stages, dismissing Crawley and creating pressure at both ends. Smith, on the other hand, picked up two quick wickets — Bethell and Root — to spark a collapse that had England on the back foot.

William O'Rourke also made a valuable contribution, claiming Duckett’s wicket for 46, alongside Tim Southee picking up Pope, with figures of 1/54. 

With England’s rocky start with the bat, day two's morning belonged to New Zealand’s bowlers, but with England's two great partnerships the afternoon fell into England's hands. But without a wee bit of  pressure onto Brook and Stokes to continue their partnership and extend the innings into a lead. 

England will start day 3, 319/5 with Harry Brook on 132* and Ben Stokes on 37*.

CRICKET: NZ slow runs as Bashir turns tide

Hagley Oval, Christchurch -- A clinical performance from English spinner Shoaib Bashir after tea has left New Zealand's innings to slow, as the Kiwis were reduced to 319/8 at the close of Day 1. After a promising start, New Zealand lost wickets in a flurry as England’s bowlers tightened their grip, particularly Bashir, who claimed four wickets to keep the hosts in control.

But there was a solid start before Bashir struck as New Zealand were put into bat after losing the toss, and while the early loss of Devon Conway for 2 to Gus Atkinson raised concerns, Tom Latham and Kane Williamson steadied the ship. Latham's quickfire 47 from 54 balls, with 6 fours gave the Kiwis the momentum they needed early on, and the pair shared a 125-run partnership for the second wicket.

Williamson, who was in fine form, added another 93 runs to his tally (93 off 197 balls, 10 fours), moving within seven runs of his 33rd Test century. The former captain looked in control, playing with his usual poise, but just as it seemed he would make the milestone, he was dismissed by Atkinson, caught at backward point by Zak Crawley. Williamson’s departure marked a turning point, as New Zealand’s middle order began dry up runs. 

The collapse began shortly after tea, with Shoaib Bashir taking charge. The young spinner was excellent with the ball, taking the key wickets of Rachin Ravindra for 34, Daryl Mitchell for 19, and Tom Blundell for 17 in quick succession. 

Bashir’s spell was a standout, as his four wickets for 69 runs for 20 overs in the day helped restrict New Zealand’s scoring which not only helped England fight back but also showed the value of spinning conditions in the second half of the day. The 24-year-old, who was only making his second Test appearance, was consistently challenging the batsmen and was rewarded for his accuracy.The pressure mounted, and debutant Nathan Smith for 3 and Matt Henry for 18 were both dismissed, the latter falling to a simple catch from Ben Duckett in the deep, leaving New Zealand at 298/8. 

The tail still has Glenn Phillips on 41 not out and Tim Southee on 10 not out still standing, with William O'Rourke yet to bat, but New Zealand will need to ensure they add some quick runs tomorrow to push their score past 350.

Other English bowlers worthy on a mention was Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson with Carse picking up 2 for 57, but struggled with slipping on the damp bowling crease causing many extras for the Kiwis. Atkinson finished the day off with 2 for 61.  Skipper Ben Stokes was unable to find breakthroughs, finishing with figures of 0 for 59 off 13 overs.

CRICKET: Auckland continue winning streak against Wellington

AUCKLAND have secured a 54-run victory over Wellington away at the Basin Reserve in the Plunket Shield. 

Wellington, chasing a target of 232 in their second innings, ultimately fell short, finishing their chase at 177 all out in 46.3 overs. Auckland’s bowlers, led by Jordan Sussex 4/50, and Danru Ferns 3/57, proved too strong for Wellington’s lower order, dismissing them despite a valiant 63 from wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell and a defiant knock of 27 from Dutch international Logan van Beek.

After a challenging first innings, where they were dismissed for just 184 on a grassy pitch, Auckland’s batting responded well in the second innings, posting a competitive total of 317. Key knocks from Bevon Jacobs 79, William O'Donnell 52no, and Simon Keene's 39, helped Auckland reach a defendable total after being in a precarious position early on.

Jacobs' crucial 79 in the second innings came after his impressive 75 in the first, where he single-handedly lifted Auckland’s total from a position of weakness. His resilience with the bat was a key factor in the outcome of the match, providing a vital buffer for the bowlers. While the likes of Finn Allen 49, and Sean Solia 31, contributed in the second innings, it was Jacobs who stood out as the anchor in both innings, proving to be a match-winner.

For Wellington, their bowlers were tasked with limiting Auckland’s scoring. However, while Liam Dudding and Michael Snedden bowled well in patches, the bowling attack lacked the bite needed to dismiss Auckland cheaply. Dudding's 4/49 was again the key performer, picking up crucial wickets, including that of Simon Keene and Bevon Jacobs in the second innings. His efforts helped restrict Auckland’s run rate, but his wickets came too late to prevent Auckland from posting a competitive total.

Logan van Beek, the hero of the first innings, could not replicate his earlier heroics in the second innings, going wicketless as he struggled to break partnerships or pick up the crucial wickets that might have turned the game in Wellington’s favour.

Since March 2022, Auckland have now won nine matches against Wellington in all formats.