England crush New Zealand by 267 runs to take 1-0 lead

England continued their dream start to life under the leadership of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes as they beat New Zealand by a landslide margin of 267 runs in the first Test of the two-match series in Mount Maunganui. Harry Brook’s twin half-centuries powered the visitors with the bat, while James Anderson and Stuart Broad picked up four wickets apiece in the fourth innings to give England their first Test win in New Zealand in 15 years.

England’s red-ball fortunes have flipped since the new captain-coach duo took over last June, and the visitors’ ultra-aggressive nature with the bat was on full display in the pink-ball Test at the Bay Oval.

Having been put into bat by Tim Southee, England added 325 runs in just 58 overs on day one of the series, with Ben Duckett and Harry Brook lacing eye-catching half-centuries. Ben Stokes also declared late on day one at nine down to have a crack at the Kiwi top-order under the lights. The skipper’s decision paid off as New Zealand lost three wickets before the close of play, with Ollie Robinson and James Anderson getting the pink ball to move prodigiously.

The Blackcaps slumped to 83 for five on the second afternoon but recovered to post a respectable score of 306 all-out, thanks to a magnificent century from Tom Blundell. The wicket-keeper added 75 runs for the sixth wicket with Devon Conway to steady the ship before launching a stunning late assault alongside the tail to cut England’s first innings lead down to 19.

England responded in a typical manner in their second innings, with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett giving the tourists a blazing start against the new ball. Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ben Foakes added half-centuries on day three to stretch the lead. England also received healthy contributions from the lower order, with Ollie Robinson scoring 39 and Jack Leach seeing out 40 deliveries, to set a fourth innings target of 394.

Starting their chase against the new ball under the lights, New Zealand lost five wickets before the close of play on day three as Stuart Broad ran through the Kiwi top-order. The 36-year-old burst through the defences of the top three with a hint of seam movement and also removed the first innings centurion, Tom Blundell, with another peach to leave the Blackcaps reeling at 28 for five.

Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell showed some resistance to see New Zealand through till stumps on day five. However, Jimmy Anderson wrapped up the tail in quick time on the fourth morning to give England a comprehensive 267-run victory, their 10th in 11 matches under Stokes and McCullum.