Harry Brook continued to make Test match batting look easy as the 24-year-old scored his fourth Test hundred in just his sixth appearance in the format on Day 1 in Basin Reserve. Brook was well on course for his maiden double ton but showers in the final session brought an early end to the day, with the 24-year-old unbeaten on 184 off just 169 balls – including 24 fours and 5 sixes. At the other end, he had Joe Root for company, who notched up his 29th Test hundred. The pair added an undefeated stand worth 294 for the fourth wicket to snatch the momentum away from the home side.
New Zealand had a dream start to their quest for series parity as Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett were sent packing by the sixth over. But from then on, England’s batting came alive via the fire-and-ice pairing of Brook and Root. New Zealand quicks went full against Brook in search of movement but all they found was the middle of the 24-year-old’s bat, who fearlessly hit through covers and over mid-off and mid-on, sometimes even when Tim Southee had fielders stationed there. Brook’s scintillating approach meant England seamlessly transitioned from being on thin ice to being in control of the proceedings as New Zealand just couldn’t find another breakthrough.
Though New Zealand were bolstered by the return of Matt Henry, the bowling attack was still found wanting against England’s expansive ways as the support cast around Henry and Tim Southee failed to put any sort of pressure from either end. Daryl Mitchell and Neil Wagner were taken to cleaners by Brook, once even with an audacious ramp shot for a six that you seldom see used in this format. Midway through the second session, Brook reached his fourth Test hundred off just 107 deliveries.
Despite the green pitch, the conditions eased out rather quickly, paving the way for Brook to bat like only England do in this format. Root had the best seat in the house to watch Brook go about sending New Zealand bowlers on a leather hunt, but he too got adventurous in the final session.
Through the first two sessions Root kept his reverse sweep under wraps, considering it led to his dismissal in both innings in the first Test. But when Wagner bowled from round the stumps, Root went for a risky reverse ramp shot over the slip cordon and picked up a boundary to move into the 90s. Right after Root reached his century, rain came down and forced the players off the field. Twice there were hopes of getting the game going again but as soon as the covers were peeled off, another spell of rain arrived. Eventually, no more play was possible. It was the sort of breather New Zealand needed as England finished the day on 315 for 3.
Brief Scores: England 315/3 (Harry Brook 184*, Joe Root 101*; Matt Henry 2-64) vs New Zealand
