'Bazball' hits Kiwis, England in control
- Mount Maunganui: High-octane batting and a precocious Day One declaration put England in control of the first Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on Thursday
- The Black Caps limped to 37-3 at stumps in the day-night Test at the Bay Oval, having been thrust on to the back foot by England's swashbuckling 325-9 declared.
- The tourists raced to their total in just 58.2 overs-boost- ed by blistering half-centuries to Ben Duckett and Harry Brook-as England opened the two-Test series with the sort of attacking approach, dubbed "Bazball", that has carried them to nine wins from their past 10 Tests under coach Bren- don McCullum.
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- England captain Ben Stokes instructed his lower-order batsmen to throw the bat before calling them in, leaving 18 overs to bowl at the Black Caps under lights with a new pink ball. The ploy worked as Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls departed before reaching double figures. Evergreen seam- er James Anderson took 2-11, including the key wicket of Williamson following allow review.
- Opener Devon Conway will resume on 18 and Nightwatch-men Neil Wagner on four, with a deficit of 288 runs staring at them on Friday.
- It was a grim response to an England innings that featured 48 fours and one towering six from Brook off the bowling of New Zealand captain Tim Southee, who was lashed for 2- 71 from 13 overs.
- New Zealand's depleted attack fought back midway through the second session when Ollie Pope, Joe Root and Stokes fell in quick succession. However, momentum was snatched back by the inform Brook, who accelerated to 89 off 81 balls, supported by 38 from Ben Foakes.