"A chaotically entertaining game characterised by batting that was either and mostly shambolic or sensational was eventually settled by a belated outbreak of calm. Daryl Mitchell's sober 78 not out, most notably assisted by Michael Bracewell (51), took a side floundering at 24 for three and set them on the path to victory, ultimately wrapped up by four wickets and with 13.2 overs to spare."
"But if England were eventually eclipsed it was their captain, Harry Brook, who shone brightest in compiling a century of phenomenal skill and judgement. His 135 runs might not have saved his side from defeat, but it did rescue them from humiliation. It was remarkable that there was even a brief moment when New Zealand were forced to ponder the possibility of losing here, given the start they made to the game."
"But this was not a day to be a top-order batter, with only one member of either side's top three scoring more than five and England's not reaching that number between them. The tourists opened their innings with three batters who had arrived in the country just a few days previously, while the team was in Auckland for the washed-out final fixture of the T20 series."
The match alternated between shambolic and sensational batting before calm arrived to decide the outcome. Daryl Mitchell scored a sober 78 not out, with Michael Bracewell contributing 51, recovering a side that had slumped to 24 for three and guiding New Zealand to victory by four wickets with 13.2 overs remaining. Harry Brook produced a masterful 135 for England, preventing a heavier humiliation despite his team's eventual defeat. Top-order batters largely failed, with only one top-three batter across both sides scoring more than five. England's early batting suffered amid jetlag and excellent opening bowling from Matt Henry and Zak Foulkes.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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