ENG vs NZ (1st ODI) – Highlights
Mount Maunganui witnessed a roller-coaster of an ODI where England’s Harry Brook played an innings for the ages, yet New Zealand walked away with the spoils. In a contest that swung dramatically between dominance and disaster, New Zealand’s composed middle order overcame Brook’s lone-man resistance to seal a four-wicket win with 80 balls to spare.
England, batting first, never truly recovered from a horror start. Within the first six overs, the scoreboard read a miserable 10 for 4, with Zakary Foulkes and Matt Henry ripping through the top order. Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and debutant Jacob Bethell all fell cheaply, leaving captain Harry Brook stranded amidst ruins. Jos Buttler and Sam Curran followed soon after, and at 56 for 6, England were staring at one of their shortest ODI collapses in recent memory.
Then began the Harry Brook show. Displaying fearless intent and sublime stroke-making, Brook dismantled New Zealand’s attack almost single-handedly. His 135 off 101 balls was a masterclass in controlled aggression, featuring 9 fours and 11 towering sixes. He combined brute power with smart placement, punishing anything marginally off-length. Jamie Overton offered crucial support with a brisk 46, helping England limp past 200. Together, they added 87 runs that temporarily revived hopes of a defendable total. However, once Brook fell to Santner attempting another big hit, England folded quickly, bowled out for 223 in just 35.2 overs.
For New Zealand, Zakary Foulkes was the star with the ball, finishing with an impressive 4 for 41, while Jacob Duffy’s three-wicket burst complemented him perfectly. Matt Henry’s early breakthroughs ensured England never found stability. Despite Brook’s brilliance, England’s collapse from 56 for 6 to 223 all out told the larger story — one of missed partnerships and overdependence on a single batter.
In reply, New Zealand had a wobbly beginning of its own. Brydon Carse’s fiery spell removed Will Young, Kane Williamson, and Tom Latham inside the first dozen overs. England sensed an opening when the hosts slipped to 66 for 4, but Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell steadied the innings with calm assurance. Mitchell’s unbeaten 78 anchored the chase, while Bracewell’s fluent 51 kept the tempo alive. The pair added 92 for the fifth wicket, effectively shutting England out of the contest.
Even when Adil Rashid dismissed Santner for 27, the result felt inevitable. Nathan Smith joined Mitchell to complete the formalities, taking New Zealand to 224 for 6 in the 37th over. The hosts’ chase was clinical after the early setbacks — built on smart rotation, selective aggression, and the composure of seasoned campaigners.
Despite ending on the losing side, Harry Brook’s innings stood apart — a reminder of his growing stature as England’s most complete modern batter. For New Zealand, it was another example of their collective temperament under pressure. The Black Caps lead the three-match series 1-0, heading into the next game with momentum firmly on their side.
England vs New Zealand Scoreboard
England – 223/10 (35.2)
New Zealand – 224/6 (36.4)
Result – New Zealand won by 4 wickets (with 80 balls remaining)
Player of the Match – Harry Brook
Harry Brook
ENG vs NZ Playing XIs
England | Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood. |
New Zealand | Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy. |
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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