England vs New Zealand: Harry Brook hundred in vain as tourists lose first ODI after batting collapse and loss of catches | Cricket News
Harry Brook’s astonishing hundred went in vain as England paid the price for an abject batting display overall and lost catches with a four-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the first one-day international at Mount Maunganui.
England captain Brook (135 from 101 balls; 11 sixes and nine fours) made 60.53 per cent of his side’s 223 all out runs in 35.2 overs, with Jamie Overton (46) the only other player to reach double figures and Sam Curran the third highest scorer with six.
The extras total (17) was more than the combined innings of six of England’s top seven, with Jamie Smith (0) – bowled by Matt Henry from the first ball of the match – Ben Duckett (2), Joe Root (2), Jacob Bethell (2), Jos Buttler (4) and Curran inside 12 overs at Bay Oval as the tourists collapsed to 10-4 and 56-6 after being inserted.
In response, England reduced New Zealand to 24-3 in five overs – Brydon Carse (3-45) inflicting a maiden ODI golden duck on Kane Williamson – but the misses ultimately cost the tourists as the hosts triumphed with 80 balls in the bank – Daryl Mitchell (78no off 91) finishing things off with a four off Adil Rashid’s side (1-69).
Michael Bracewell (51 off 51) was bowled for two by Root at slip and Mitchell on 33 by Luke Wood at backward point during a fifth-wicket stand of 92, while Carse grassed Mitchell Satnter (27 off 25) for two at deep fine leg.
The Black Caps take a 1-0 lead in the second ODI in Hamilton on Wednesday (1am UK) before the series concludes in Wellington next Saturday and England then focus entirely on the Ashes series in Australia starting November 21.
If England are to take the urn back from Australia, we feel Brook will have to play a major role – and without him against New Zealand on Sunday it would have been a disaster.
Brook – who scored each of his first 36 runs in boundaries – made 87 from as many balls with Overton for the seventh wicket after the other senior batters failed, then bowled 50 from 28 deliveries while adding 57 from 32 with last man Wood (5).
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