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The Day 1 of the second Test between England and New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington showcased England’s resilience and bowling supremacy on Friday (December 6). After being sent in to bat, the visitors faced an early collapse, slipping to 43/4 against a disciplined Blackcaps attack. However, Harry Brook‘s scintillating 123, combined with Ollie Pope’s gritty 66, revived England’s innings and pushed them to a competitive 280. In response, New Zealand’s top order crumbled under England’s fiery pace assault, ending the day at 86/5 and trailing by 194 runs, with Tom Blundell and Will O’Rourke holding fort.
Harry Brook and Ollie Pope rescue England from early collapse
England’s innings began on a disastrous note, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett dismissed cheaply, followed by quick departures of Joe Root and debutant Jacob Bethell. The top-order debacle left England reeling at 43/4, as New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Matt Henry and O’Rourke, exploited the conditions superbly. However, Brook counterattacked with authority, smashing 11 fours and five sixes in a masterful 123 off 115 balls. At the other end, Pope anchored the innings with a composed 66, sharing a 174-run stand with Brook. Despite their heroics, a late-order collapse orchestrated by Nathan Smith restricted England to 280 in just und💎er 55 overs.
England’s bowlers leave New Zealand reeling under pressure
New Zealand’s reply got off to a rocky start as Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson struck early blows to remove Devon Conway and Tom Latham. Brydon Carse delivered the crucial breakthrough, dismissing Kane Williamson for a well-constructed 37, which turned out to be the sole bright spot for the hosts. Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra were undone by disciplined lines from Ben Stokes and Atkinson, as New Zealand slumped to 86൲/5 by stumps. The English pacers combined pace and accuracy, consistently troubling the batters and maintaining unrelenting pressure thro🌸ughout the final session.
Also READ: Mo♒ther of coincidence! Kane Williamson and KL Rahul escape dismissals on No-Balls on the same day iℱn Wellington and Adelaide Tests
Here’s how Twitter reacted
Harry Brook has as many away hundre🅷ds as AB de Villiers.
This is his 10th away Test.
— Yas Rana (@Yas_Wisden)
Eleven men have sco൩red more overseas Test hundreds for England than Harry Brook. This is his 10th overseas Test. Silly.
— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket)
Harry Brook away from home
Tests – 10
Innings – 16
Runs – 1464
Avg – 91.50
SR – 96.50
100s – 7
50s – 3
If he scores 🦆 in next 13 innings away home..still avg will be 50+
Exceptional numbers..at 25 he has 7 away 100s…— JSK (@imjsk27)
Meanwhile, just seen the scores at Wellington. 43/4 followed by another rescue act. Not watched but Day 1 is often tough at Basin Reserve, especially in the morning. Harry Brook continues to show just why he's a special player. Achieving greatness is a given for him!
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7)
171 followed by 123, which amounts to 294 runs inܫ two innings for Harry Brook.
He scored a triple not too long ago. If it's not a rank turner, the Yorkshireman is in business.
— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango)
Harry Brook is unreal man. Bro scores hundreds for fun! His 8th Test century from just 91 balls 🔥🔥🔥ඣ
— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin)
Harry Brook incredible once again!
👏🏻🏏— Dan Bateman🎙️ (@dan_batemannn)
Random cheꦕck score at night. Wow Harry brook take a bow. Highlights will be amazing
— Rehana Younis (@rk_younis)
Harry Brook is astonishing. Incredible.
There's nothing more to be said.— J💛🅠ames Buttler | Cricket Badger Podcast ��🦡🇺🇦 (@cricket_badger)
Harry Brook is not coming s𒈔low. He is a serious talent against pacers and favourable conditions. He needs to get better against aga♔inst spinners and spinning conditions
— Muhammad Umair (@mumairziaa)
We are very much in ‘the kids are alright’ territory when it comes to men’s Test cricket methinks. Ultimately, it’ll always need at least a couple of key performers to pin it🍷s colours to:🐻 in Brook & Jaiswal we’ve got worthy successors of the Fab Four.
— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury)
Harry Brook is a runs machine!!
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)
What a player Harry Brook is!!
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket)
Harry Brook has scored more than 1000 runs this year. But this last hundred runs might be the most impressive and, if you're an England fan, the ones that create the most hope and optimism about the future of English cricket
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz)
