A gambler’s declaration from Ben Stokes paid off on day one of England’s day/night Test against New Zealand, following swashbuckling innings from Harry Brook and Ben Duckett.
Not for the first time in his revolutionary stint as captain, Stokes made a risky call by ending England’s first innings at 325 for nine – Brook having top-scored with 89 from 81 balls and Duckett making a rapid 84 from just 68 deliveries.
With fewer than 60 overs faced it was the second earliest declaration in Test history but not unprecedented in day-night matches where batting can be hardest under the lights.
Stokes decided the prospects of a last-wicket stand involving James Anderson were less valuable than hustling the game forward and putting the Black Caps in at Mount Maunganui.
His instincts proved right as England exploited the conditions to leave the hosts 37 for three at stumps, Anderson removing Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls while also seeing Devon Conway dropped at slip. Ollie Robinson had earlier snared opener Tom Latham.
The captain’s ambitious approach may not have been so effective but for the runs of Brook and Duckett, who both batted with the kind of rampant tempo that defines Stokes’ leadership.
Brook came tantalisingly close to a fourth century in as many Tests and had he gone all the way to three figures he would have been just the second English batter to score four in four, with the great Ken Barrington achieving the feat twice in the 1960s.
‘It was a little bit (on my mind) but I’m not bothered now to be honest, I’m just glad I’ve got another Test 89,’ said the 23-year-old Yorkshireman. ‘I felt good, I played the way I’m always going to play and put pressure on throughout the day.’
Both Brook and Duckett again threatened the fastest ever England Test century, set at 76 balls by Gilbert Jessop in 1902. Jonny Bairstow came within three balls of usurping him at Trent Bridge last summer, while Brook has already been in the hunt three times.
‘We haven’t spoken about it at all but the nature of the way we’re playing, we are looking to score and put pressure on the bowlers,’ he said. ‘I went for it (the record) a couple of times in Pakistan!’
Brook fully supported Stokes’ declaration, adding: ‘The best time to bowl is under these lights, when you can extract the most amount of swing and seam, so why not try and expose their top order to that?
‘It’s the hardest time to bat and we’ve got three of the best bowlers to ever play the game. Thankfully we got three wickets – yeah, it absolutely paid off.’
Hundred franchises keep hold of England trio for new season
Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Jofra Archer have been retained by their Hundred franchises for 2023.
The England trio missed last year’s edition with Stokes and Bairstow citing their heavy workload while Archer was out with an elbow issue.
Hundred teams have confirmed their retained list ahead of next month’s draft and Welsh Fire keep Bairstow, Archer stays with Southern Brave and Stokes with Northern Superchargers.
In-form England batter Sophia Dunkley will be up for grabs in the first women’s draft after Southern Brave opted to let her move on.
MORE : England confirm team for first New Zealand Test as Stuart Broad returns
MORE : Patriotic Ben Duckett keen to take his chance with England after long hiatus
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