Ben Duckett of England bats on the first day of their cricket test match against New Zealand in Tauranga, New Zealand, Thursday, February 16, 2023. (Aaron Gillians/Photosport via AP) | photo credit: Aaron Gillians
Ben Duckett’s blistering half-century helped England reach 134 for two at tea on the first day of the first Test against a New Zealand team that felt the full force of ‘buzzball’ at Mount Maunganui on Thursday.
Opener Duckett brought up a 36-ball half-century and looked to bring up his hundred on a sunny afternoon at the Bay Oval after New Zealand captain Tim Southee won the toss and elected to field for the venue’s first day-night Test.
However, Duckett, having scored 84 off 68 balls, was caught by gifting the pink ball straight to Michael Bracewell at short mid-off. Debutant fast bowler Blair Tickner His first Test wicket.
A late relief for New Zealand, the opener hit 14 fours, sharing a 99-run partnership with third-ranked Ollie Pope.
Pope was on 30 not out, at the break which Root was on nine, the run-rate being six runs per over.
Barring a potential opening salvo of Southee’s swing in his first spell, it was a poor performance by the home bowlers, with Neil Wagner in particular struggling for control.
Wagner bowled Zak Crawley with his first ball in the second over but it was a no-ball wicket in which the seamer made his mark.
Crawley was also relieved on the second ball of Southee’s first over when a diving Bracewell delivered a difficult, one-handed chance at third slip.
Southee soon had Crawley caught for four, Bracewell made amends with a simple catch in the slips.
New Zealand opted for a four-pronged pace attack, with second Test debutant Scott Kuggeleijn in the 11.
England, who have won nine of their last 10 Tests, are bidding to win their first Test series in New Zealand since 2008.