Adventurous England on top against New Zealand after Ben Stokes’ bold declaration in pink-ball Test | Cricket News

England batted and declared boldly and then picked up three late wickets under the lights as they bossed day one of the pink-ball Test against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui.

England sprinted to 325-9 from 58.2 overs – Harry Brook (89 off 81) and Ben Duckett (84 off 68) top-scoring – before captain Ben Stokes called his side in with around 90 minutes of play remaining.

Stokes’ declaration – the second-earliest in the first innings of a Test – reaped immediate rewards with New Zealand 37-3 by stumps after Ollie Robinson removed Tom Latham (1) and James Anderson prised out Kane Williamson (6) and Henry Nicholls (4).

Anderson also had Devon Conway (17no) dropped by Zak Crawley at slip on nine before Conway and nightwatchman Neil Wagner (4no) ushered the home side through to the end of a breathless day.

Brook was on course to follow his three tons in Pakistan in December with another against the Black Caps and match the four in a row Ken Barrington twice achieved for England in the 1960s.

The Yorkshireman and opening batter Duckett both threatened to score England’s fastest Test ton, which remains Gilbert Jessop’s 76-ball effort against Australia at The Oval in 1902.

Duckett’s hopes ended when he slapped debutant Blair Tickner to cover late in an opening session in which England piled on 134-2 in 23 overs, while Brook was unable to overhaul Jessop having started the evening on 79 from 64 balls with England 279-5 from 48 overs.

More to follow.