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.

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.