England (325/9d & 374) inflict a 267-run defeat on New Zealand (306 & 126) to win the 1st Test

[MenInG]

England (325/9d & 374) inflict a 267-run defeat on New Zealand (306 & 126) to win the 1st Test

About 20 minutes away from the Bay Oval in Tauranga, the scene of the first Test between New Zealand and England, lives Trent Boult. A left-arm swing bowler with an experience of 78 Tests and 317 wickets in his kitty would have created enough jeopardy to keep any visiting side on guard, let alone one that last won a Test on these shores in 2008. But Boult, 33, is a T20 freelancer now and New Zealand have passed up the opportunity to call-up a bowler who turned his back on a central contract last year.

There are more pressing matters in New Zealand right now but in Mount Maunganui, which has thankfully avoided the worst of Cyclone Gabrielle, the spotlight is on the national team's fast-bowling emergency. At the start of his second assignment as full-time skipper, Tim Southee is set to line up alongside two fast-bowling debutants as he hopes to keep a battering ram of a batting line-up at bay. It's not the most reassuring of starts for New Zealand, who haven't lost a home Test series for five years now.

England on the other hand are still enjoying the new captain - new coach - new philosophy bounce that has yielded nine Test wins from 10 games played, including a very memorable away series victory in Pakistan. If there's one challenge that the Stokes-McCullum combine has yet to encounter, then it is the one posed by the pink ball. Novel while it may no longer be, the pink-ball does bring some balance to the narrative. A bit of unpredictability is not the worst piece of news for New Zealand. In the last Day-Night Test between these two sides in this country, England were bundled out for 58 in Auckland.

Much water has flown under that bridge. Stokes, who has since achieved all manner of success in the sport, has now dedicated his tenure towards building better careers for his teammates. "I've played a lot of cricket and done some great things with some great teams over the years. Being captain, I've got a real desire to make the best out of the team I've got here and the players who will come in in the future," he said. "That's one of my goals as England captain: to hopefully let some of these guys in the dressing room here just have an amazing career. If I can influence that in any way shape or form, then I'll be happy."

It's the start of a very important period in the Stokes era. These two Tests may not account for WTC points but they will help sustain momentum building up to the summer when Australia will come calling for the all-important Ashes series. A drought-ending series win in New Zealand will definitely reverberate across the Tasman sea.

When: New Zealand vs England, 1st Test, February 16-20, 2023, 14:00 Local, 06:30 IST

Where: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

What to expect: Mount Maunganui somehow escaped the worst of the storm and the drainage system at the Bay Oval ground appears to have coped well with the deluge. The opening day of the Test might still be affected by scattered thunderstorms but the other four days are forecast to face no interruptions from the rains. Mount Maunganui can be among the better surfaces to bat in New Zealand as evidenced by Bangladesh's efforts last year when they won a historic Test match here. It remains to be seen if the pink ball and the D/N Test triggers a change to the natural order.

Team News:

New Zealand

With Kyle Jamieson out with a stress fracture and Matt Henry awaiting the birth of his child, New Zealand will have two fast-bowling debutants. One of them, the management has confirmed, will be Blair Tickner. They will toss up between Scott Kuggeleijn and Jacob Duffy for the other slot. Michael Bracewell will be the lone spinner in a 4-1 bowling combination.

Probable XI: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (c), Blair Tickner, Scott Kuggeleijn/Jacob Duffy, Neil Wagner

England

Stuart Broad will return to the Test side for the first time since September, ECB confirmed while announcing their line-up for the game on the eve of the fixture. He'll be part of a five-prong bowling attack featuring James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach and Stokes as the seam-bowling all-rounder. The top-seven that played the final Test in Pakistan picks itself once more.

Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, James Anderson

Did you know?

- Kane Williamson needs 39 runs to overhaul Ross Taylor's tally of 7683 runs to become New Zealand's leading run-scorer in Test cricket.

- This is the first time Ben Stokes will be captaining in the country of his birth.

- This is the fourth series between these sides since the inception of the WTC. Three of those, including this one, haven't counted for WTC points.

What they said:

"Watching test matches in New Zealand in the past, I don't think you can look too much into the wickets here when they're green like that. The two-day practice game we played [last week in Hamilton], the wicket was very green, had a lot of grass on it, and it played very very true. So I don't know how much effect it'll have really - I just hope I lose the toss." - Ben Stokes

"He's [Boult] made his decision at the end of last year handing back his contract. New Zealand Cricket have made the decision to back the guys who are contracted and playing domestic cricket here." - Tim Southee

Squads:
New Zealand Squad: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee(c), Blair Tickner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Neil Wagner, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Will Young

England Squad: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Ben Foakes(w), Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, James Anderson, Olly Stone, Daniel Lawrence, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts

 

[Robert]

Jamieson is a big loss for NZ.

But they all have the ANZAC spirit and fight like mad.

 

[boomboomcheema]

Excited to see if England will continue with their Bazball approach even in NZ and how much successful it would be with the same opponent away this time.

 

[Saj]

3 hours to what should be a fascinating Test.

 

[shaz619]

HUGE Test for England’s line up, but they are led by the Miracle Man and Sir Jimmy is immortal.

 

[PakLFC]

This will be a very interesting series. NZ at home are a formidable side where as England away are seriously good too. Let's get it on gentlemen.

 

[Firebat]

Another high class Test series happening simultaneously to Ind Aus, fantastic couple of weeks coming up.

Time to bring BazBall back to Baz's home.

 

[sweep_shot]

Should be a great game.

Bazball vs Kiwi home dominance.

 

[HitWicket]

Disgusting that the NZ selectors even consider Kuggeleijn given his personal history, but ignoring that for a second how's he even got into the team given his recent domestic record.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Boult is a big miss. Last time England bowled out for 50 or something in one of the match

 

[jnaveen1980]

Crawley is a crap batsman. Soon he will find himself out of the side.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Tickner in Test Cricket too He is the most mediocre cricketer to come out of NZ in the past 20 years..
He surely has some Godfather in the NZ selectors.

 

[jnaveen1980]

When you bowl at these speeds you have to be absolutely spot on. NZ is bowling a load of freebies

 

[jnaveen1980]

Effortless 50.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Not the most attractive left hander to watch. But very effectiv

 

[jnaveen1980]

They are going at 7 an over. Looking at the speeds, sameness of NZ bowling this is going to be a long day for NZ on the field.

 

[Champ_Pal]

England will score 500 at this rate. NZ bowling is terrible.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Rolling out flat decks and playing into the hands of England.

 

[sweep_shot]

Damn, England!

They are playing like it is T20.

 

[sweep_shot]

Duckett is on 77* from 59 balls.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Never seen such a terrible bowling in a while. Almost everyball is a hit me ball.

 

[Devadwal]

Where are boult , Kyle Jamison , henry , Ferguson, Milne??

 

[jnaveen1980]

Only good looking shot maker in the ENgland side is root. Everyone else looks a little bit agricultural. What a glorious cover drive.

 

[MenInG]

Teams:

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Michael Bracewell, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee(c), Neil Wagner, Blair Tickner

England (Playing XI): Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Ben Foakes(w), Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, James Anderson

New Zealand have won the toss and have opted to field

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Wagner should have retired after that WTC final. He is 2 years past it. England are ruthless on weak links.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Tickner looks okayish towards the end hitting the same length.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

First 8 overs - 1.6 degrees of movement
After that- 0.6 degrees of swing

This pink kookaburra doesn't actually do much.

 

[jnaveen1980]

First 8 overs - 1.6 degrees of movement
After that- 0.6 degrees of swing

This pink kookaburra doesn't actually do much.

Pitch is slow. Bowlers are trundling and also bowling terrible deliveries. Perfect storm for NZ. If they pick 2 more they can even come back.

 

[sweep_shot]

England - 139/2 (24.4 overs).

Kiwis need some quick wickets.

 

[sweep_shot]

England lose their 3rd wicket.

Game is balance now.

England - 152/3.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pitch is slow. Bowlers are trundling and also bowling terrible deliveries. Perfect storm for NZ. If they pick 2 more they can even come back.

Doubt it. They lost to Bangladesh on this pitch. I don't see any chance of a comeback. They just don't have the quality to stop Bazball .

India on Nagpur style decks and Australia at Gabba/Perth/MCG will be the only challenges for Bazball

 

[sweep_shot]

Doubt it. They lost to Bangladesh on this pitch. I don't see any chance of a comeback. They just don't have the quality to stop Bazball .

India on Nagpur style decks and Australia at Gabba/Perth/MCG will be the only challenges for Bazball

That Bangladesh win was a fluke. Kiwis somehow couldn't handle Ebadot.

Kiwis are on top now. England lost their 4th.

England - 161/4.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

That Bangladesh win was a fluke. Kiwis somehow couldn't handle Ebadot.

Kiwis are on top now. England lost their 4th.

England - 161/4.

It wasn't a fluke. Bd bowlers were very accurate and it was very impressive. NZ are on top now because of ridiculous shot selection by Root.

 

[sweep_shot]

Stokes is at the crease now.

Kiwis need to get him out quick.

England - 167/4.

 

[sam_ahm]

Root is wasting the last phase of his career by playing rash shots in a bid to score quickly. He looks like someone who is desperate to show that he can score 'fast' and get picked by franchises for T20 competitions. Also McCullum's obsession with hitting literally every ball won't work out every time. This series and the Ashes will show us where do England really stand.

 

[sweep_shot]

England - 193/4 (35.3 overs).

 

[jnaveen1980]

Bazball may be good for England. But definitely not good for root. They have turned a perfectly classical batsman into a hack. He is trying to fit himself into this reckless batting line up.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Double edged sword this approach is. Some intelligent field sets and variation NZ has come back into the game.

 

[WengerOut]

Really hope this Bazball nonsense backfire as quickly as possible. Bringing hacks into tests will dilute it.

 

[sweep_shot]

Stokes is gone. Kiwis are now truly on top.

England- 209/5.

 

[sweep_shot]

Bazball worked due to experienced hitters like Bairstow, Butler, and Stokes.

I doubt England can do Bazball once they retire.

 

[jnaveen1980]

These guys will forget how to defend and survive if they keep playing like this on flat tracks.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Despite the run rate losing 5 wickets against this rubbish attack is not looking good.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Brook continues where he left off. Thrashing Southee all over.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Million dollar player bats like million dollar player.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Despite the run rate losing 5 wickets against this rubbish attack is not looking good.

277/5 does not look bad at all especially since Bay Oval is a bat 2nd wicket.

 

[jnaveen1980]

277/5 does not look bad at all especially since Bay Oval is a bat 2nd wicket.

I mean they way they bowled they could have been 250/1 .

 

[sindhiboy]

Looks like bazball has messed up root's batting.

England are wayyy too reliant on Brook at the moment

 

[MenInG]

ENG 279/5 (48) CRR: 5.81
Day 1: Dinner Break

No problems for Brook! 79*(64)

 

[VForVendetta]

Tickner in Test Cricket too He is the most mediocre cricketer to come out of NZ in the past 20 years..
He surely has some Godfather in the NZ selectors.

He really is. Reminds me of the loads of trundlres Nz, Ind & Eng used to have in the 90's. Just don't see how a guy like him fits in the ultra fast modern day cricket. Would have understood if he was playing for a lesser team,but the fact that one of the top teams is carrying such mediocrity is shocking. This is the guy they chose in Boult's place! Minds boggling.

 

[VForVendetta]

Bazzball is definitely a breath of fresh air, but they need to have some design, restrain. This reckless approach will not work in the long term & definitely won't work in Indian rank turners & probably in Aussie pitches too. But then again they are not touring those two countries anytime soon. I really want to see this current team playing in Ind, Aus & SA. Just to see if it indeed is a revolutionary approach which can work regardless of conditions & oppositions or Eng simply taking advantage of the mediocrity of modern day test cricket where about 70% teams are rubbish.

 

[dravidthewall]

Lol England declared at just 58 overs of play Day1 with only 325 runs. What kind of approach they wants to bring in test?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Jimmy, Broad and Ollie are all very accurate. Probably the most accurate trio in the history of their fast bowling. More impressive than their Bazball hitting.

 

[The_KING]

England declared on 325 with just 58 overs played. They are making a complete mockery of test cricket, in my opinion.

 

[sindhiboy]

Reckless batting followed by good bowling plans and field placements from stokes.

I think that summarizes bazball strategy

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Williamson, just like Latham, only performs against weak bowling attacks. Against OZ/SA/InD/ENG , he has a poor record.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Did they give any reasons for the declaration?

 

[daytrader]

NZ in trouble, 31/3

 

[The_KING]

Anderson is a beautiful bowler to watch. What a player!

 

[Robert]

An excellent day for England.

Anderson is repairing his bad record in NZ, as he does in most places now.

 

[MenInG]

England's decision to declare on 325-9 was vindicated by three late wickets on day one of the day-night first Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui.

Ollie Robinson had Tom Latham caught at short leg, then James Anderson trapped Kane Williamson lbw and had Henry Nicholls caught at second slip to leave the Black Caps 37-3, trailing by 288.

England wanted to be bowling with the pink ball under floodlights and their declaration after 58.2 overs was the second-earliest in the first innings of a match in the history of Test cricket.

After the tourists were asked to bat, opener Ben Duckett stroked a flowing 84 in the first session and Harry Brook enhanced his rapidly growing reputation with a sublime 89.

At other times, England's desire to be aggressive tipped over into carelessness. They lost three wickets for 37 runs early in the day, while a final slip of 4-27 prompted the declaration and left pace bowler Neil Wagner with 4-82.

The pitch looks good for batting and the ball moved most in the night session - New Zealand might have been well placed to bat in the daytime on Friday had England not been so incisive late in the day.

Instead England, with nine wins in their past 10 Tests, snatched the upper hand.

England late show leaves them on top
This was a fascinating first day at a stunning venue, made all the more intriguing by the opposite styles of the two teams and the extra layer of complexity brought by the pink ball.

New Zealand will have been satisfied by their decision to field first after they worked through the visitors' batting with an attack containing debutants Blair Tickner and Scott Kuggeleijn, only for England to trump the hosts with their late strikes.

It might have been even better for England. Almost all of their batters were complicit in their own downfall, with strokes ranging from loose to reckless.

It is a hyper-aggressive style that has brought England their recent success. To revel in the thrilling wins means accepting the times when the cavalier approach does not work. Still, England should probably have cashed in further against the inexperienced home bowling line-up.

The declaration in the floodlit final session was not unexpected - captains less innovative than Ben Stokes have made similar moves in previous day-night Tests.

From there, England were magnificent with the ball and would have had a fourth wicket had Zak Crawley not dropped Devon Conway off Anderson.

With the injured Jonny Bairstow waiting in the wings, England's top seven know there will soon be one of them missing out.

On a day when the rest perished trying to force the scoring, Duckett and Brook showed their class, both flirting with Gilbert Jessop's 121-year-old record for England's fastest Test hundred - 76 balls - which will surely fall soon.

In his first Test outside of Asia, Duckett played sweet drives and whips off his pads. He could have had a hundred in the first session, but drove to cover to give Tickner his maiden scalp.

Brook looks a superstar in waiting. When England were 154-4, he began calmly, taking 11 from his first 17 balls. When he clicked into gear, he struck 66 off his next 40.

With New Zealand trying to stay clear of Brook's strong leg-side game, he simply caressed the ball through off, usually with powerful cuts. A six over long-off off home captain Tim Southee was imperious.

Brook was on course for a fourth hundred in as many Tests - only Ken Barrington has achieved that feat for England before - until he fell to Wagner's bumper barrage. A bottom edge hit the ground, then ricocheted on to the stumps after hitting Brook, sparking the beginning of England's final slide.

All action at the Bay Oval
Even in the context of England's freewheeling approach to Test cricket, some of their dismissals were poor.

Crawley was dropped, bowled off a no-ball then finally edged to second slip in the space of 14 balls, Ollie Pope chased a wide one to be out for 42, both off Southee, and Stokes hacked a bouncer to mid-wicket to give Kuggeleijn his first Test wicket.

The ugliest belonged to Joe Root, who has developed a penchant for reverse-scooping pace bowlers. He had already done so successfully off Wagner, but a second attempt ended in the hands of wide slip.

If the batting was occasionally sloppy, the bowling was anything but. Anderson, Robinson and Broad were relentless in their control, maximising the helpful conditions.

Latham inside-edged on to his pad off Robinson and was caught by Pope at short leg and when Anderson got one to come back into Williamson's pad, the review showed it to be hitting leg stump.

Crawley's poor day continued when he dropped a regulation chance off Conway, but he at least made amends by holding on to Nicholls.

Wagner, wholehearted in his effort with the ball, was sent out as nightwatchman and survived alongside Conway, who is 18 not out.

BBC

 

[James]

Great to see a decent crowd in. So often this hasn’t been the case for Tests in NZ.

England on top. Another thrilling display!

 

[sweep_shot]

Declaring at 325/9 on Day 1?

Don't think I have seen such a declaration before.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Great to see a decent crowd in. So often this hasn’t been the case for Tests in NZ.

England on top. Another thrilling display!

Only because it's a day night Test I think.

 

[Ab Fan]

How come Stuart Broad finds a place in England team even now?

Anderson
Robinson
Wood
Woakes

These four are better than him and then you will have Archer as well alongwith others like Stone, Curran, Mahmood etc.

 

[jnaveen1980]

NZ bowling was utter trash. With no Boult, Henry or even Milne they lacked pace, control. Two debutants today. Even the experienced one like Wagner bowled tons of noballs Was all over the shop. Couldn't they predict this approach of England? They will want to have a stab at England under lights.

 

[Robert]

How come Stuart Broad finds a place in England team even now?

Anderson
Robinson
Wood
Woakes

These four are better than him and then you will have Archer as well alongwith others like Stone, Curran, Mahmood etc.

Woakes has a very bad record overseas.

Wood is being rested.

I would play Stone ahead of Broad at this stage.

 

[Front Foot Pull]

why can't we have this england side tested against a good bowling attack in a bit bowler friendly conditions for once.
they have been getting flat tracks after flat tracks. and NZ now put out a poor bowling attack. nz doesn't even play many tests and then you put out such attacks.

 

[Robert]

why can't we have this england side tested against a good bowling attack in a bit bowler friendly conditions for once.
they have been getting flat tracks after flat tracks. and NZ now put out a poor bowling attack. nz doesn't even play many tests and then you put out such attacks.

They won 6-1 in England last year. Those weren't flat tracks, they were seamers. One of those tests was against India, three against SA, three against full-strength NZ. Not exactly weak attacks.

 

[Ab Fan]

Woakes has a very bad record overseas.

Wood is being rested.

I would play Stone ahead of Broad at this stage.

Archer and Stone both are better options than Broad. Also, New Zealand conditions definitely calls for one of Woakes or Curran. Been quite a while not seen Woakes play tests.

 

[Robert]

Archer and Stone both are better options than Broad. Also, New Zealand conditions definitely calls for one of Woakes or Curran. Been quite a while not seen Woakes play tests.

Woakes is only good in England. NZ wickets have changed and he wouldn’t be effective.

Curran is not really quick enough for tests unless under swing conditions. I know he did well against India but weather was murky.

Archer is being nursed back slowly.

 

[MenInG]

Harry Brook says England's decision to declare "absolutely" paid off after the tourists took three late New Zealand wickets on day one of the first Test.

In the day-night conditions, England declared on 325-9 in order to bowl with the pink ball under floodlights.

James Anderson took two wickets and Ollie Robinson one to reduce the hosts to 37-3 in Mount Maunganui.

"It's the hardest time to bat. We wanted to bowl under lights and it panned out quite well," said Brook.

Brook made 89 and Ben Duckett 84 after New Zealand won the toss and asked England to bat at the Bay Oval.

England declared when their ninth wicket fell after 58.2 overs, the second-earliest declaration in the first innings of a match in the 146-year history of Test cricket - the earliest was by Pakistan who reached 130-9 after 44.5 overs on a rain-hit opening day against England at Lord's in 1974.

Robinson had Tom Latham caught at short leg, before Anderson trapped Kane Williamson leg before wicket on review and enticed Henry Nicholls into edging to second slip.

England might have had another wicket, but Zak Crawley, who caught Nicholls, dropped a straightforward chance at second slip when Devon Conway nicked Anderson.

"The plan was to wait until there were two of our bowlers batting together, give them a couple of overs, then have a crack at New Zealand tonight," Brook told BBC Sport.

"The pitch changes quite a bit with the lights, there's more pace off the surface and you can extract more swing and seam.

"We'd have liked one more wicket, but we'd have bitten your hand off for three."

Similar declarations, designed to maximise the helpful bowling conditions late in the day, have been a regular feature of day-night Tests.

New Zealand pace bowler Neil Wagner, who took four wickets in England's innings, said the Black Caps "expected" visiting captain Ben Stokes to declare.

"We knew they are going play a positive brand of cricket and they did. It's quite exciting for Test cricket," said Wagner.

"Everyone knows the pink ball is tough under lights and does a bit more. Conditions really got favourable for England towards the end."

Brook, 23, is winning only his fifth Test cap, but arrived in New Zealand with three hundreds in as many matches during England's 3-0 series win in Pakistan in December.

At the Bay Oval he fell 11 runs short of becoming only the second England batter to make four hundreds in as many Tests, a feat Ken Barrington achieved twice in the 1960s.

"I was thinking about that a little bit when I was out there, but I'd take an 89 every day of the week," said Brook.

Before September, Brook had won only four England caps, all in the T20 format. A freak injury to Jonny Bairstow, who broke his leg when falling on a golf course, let Brook in to make his Test debut against South Africa.

He has since been part of the England team that won the T20 World Cup, become the first England player to make three hundreds in his first four Tests and made his one-day international debut against South Africa in January.

"I felt good out there. My preparation has been key - it has been recently," said Brook.

"I've always had that inner belief. You have to in any elite sport. Maybe not so much what I have done, but I always had the belief I could score runs in Test cricket."

BBC

 

[Saj]

Loving the attitude from England.

Great approach which is fantastic viewing.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Why are they letting Leach go off easily. If NZ wants to put them under pressure they should thrash Leach all over forcing the oldies to bowl over and over.

 

[daytrader]

Day 2 - Session 1: New Zealand trail by 187 runs.

Eng
325/9d (58.2 ov)

NZ
138/5 (46 ov)

 

[jnaveen1980]

Call this a fate lol 6th ball no ball. A nothing short ball next ball, nothing shot from Conway.

 

[Ab Fan]

Call this a fate lol 6th ball no ball. A nothing short ball next ball, nothing shot from Conway.

Conway is still the best batsman NZ got. He is the one who scores vs top teams away too unlike Williamson.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Conway is still the best batsman NZ got. He is the one who scores vs top teams away too unlike Williamson.

He was the best. But he was literally taking on every single short ball on a docile pitch. So it was a matter of time before a soft dismissal.

 

[jnaveen1980]

NZ has played more overs than England. But less runs. THey should have targeted leach like Pant does.

 

[MenInG]

Cook: New Zealand fought really hard

Sir Alastair Cook, speaking on BT Sport:

"It could now be a one-innings game with New Zealand maybe having the advantage of an hour under the lights at England this evening. It is amazing how things ebb and flow. It was a grind of a session but credit to Blundell, who has been controlled and a thorn in England's side. New Zealand fought really hard to keep getting back in the game."