Eng vs NZ 1st Test | Brook, Duckett half-centuries push England to 279-5 on Day 1

England’s Ben Duckett bats against New Zealand on the first day of their cricket test match in Tauranga, New Zealand, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Aaron Gillions/Photosport via AP)
| Photo Credit: Aaron Gillions

Harry Brook quelled a New Zealand fightback by smashing a fast half-century to push England to 279 for five at the dinner break in the first day-night test in Mount Maunganui on Thursday.

Brook was 79 not out from 64 balls, with wicketkeeper Ben Foakes on 27 as dark clouds gathered at the Bay Oval where New Zealand won the toss and elected to field.

The hosts captured three wickets in the middle session to raise hopes of limiting the damage after England resumed on 134 for two after the tea-break.

But the tourists ended up adding 145 runs as Brook kept the scoreboard ticking over at a furious rate.

New Zealand needed someone to step up after a wayward first session and it was captain Southee who delivered, having Ollie Pope edge to Tom Latham in the slips to be out for 42.

Joe Root was gone for 14 in the next over off Neil Wagner with a botched ramp shot that caught the bottom edge on the way to Daryl Mitchell, who dived low for a fine catch.

Brook kept piling on the runs, though, and built a 55-run partnership with Ben Stokes.

It was a streaky innings by the England captain, who was caught in close for 19 with a botched pull-shot as debutant Scott Kuggeleijn celebrated his first test wicket.

Ben Duckett earlier blasted 84 off 68 balls and raced to his fifty in 36 deliveries.

He appeared century-bound but ended up driving straight to Michael Bracewell at short mid-off, gifting the debutant paceman Blair Tickner his first test wicket.

Barring a probing salvo of swing from Southee in his first spell it was a poor showing by the home bowlers, with Wagner especially struggling for control.

Wagner bowled Zak Crawley with his first delivery in the second over but it was a no-ball wicket, with the seamer having overstepped his mark.

Crawley was also reprieved second ball in Southee’s first over when a diving Bracewell put down a tough, one-handed chance at third slip.

Southee soon had Crawley caught for four, with Bracewell making amends with an easier catch in the slips.

England, who have won nine out of their last 10 tests, are bidding to win their first test series in New Zealand since 2008.