New Zealand vs England: Harry Brook and Joe Root put England on top in second Test after record stand

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first at Basin Reserve, bringing England's score to 21-3. With his greatest Test performance of 184 not out, Harry Brook spearheaded the tourists' comeback. Joe Root also scored his 29th Test century, and the pair put on an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 294 runs. On day one of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington, Harry Brook's brilliant unbroken 184 and Joe Root's maiden century in eight Tests helped England reclaim the initiative. After losing the toss, the tourists fell to 21-3 early on, but ended the day on 315-3. The recovery was spearheaded by the Yorkshire pair of Brook and Root, who put up the highest-ever fourth-wicket partnership with an unbroken 294 at the Reservation for Basin. After surpassing 50 in the morning session, Brook continued the excellent start to his international career. He then went on to make the highest total of his career to date, hammering 24 fours and five sixes. With his innings, the 25-year-old tied the legendary Don Bradman's record of four hundreds in his first six Test matches. Brook was supported by Root, who played a far more patient game and reached his 29th Test century after tea, shortly before the day's play was stopped by rain, while still unbeaten and on 101.

Story of the day

With the green surface at Basin Reserve, it was no surprise that New Zealand captain Tim Southee choose to bowl first after winning the toss, and the hosts made early gains to support that choice. Following the first test loss, the Black Caps recalled Matt Henry (2-64) and batter Will Young, and it was Matt Henry who caused the majority of the early damage by dismissing Zak Crawley (2) and Ollie Pope (10) in short succession. Pope, who went on the offensive with two early boundaries, was back in the pavilion for 10 when he cut one to Michael Bracewell in the slips. Crawley fell for only two after edging one through to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell. Afterwards, Captain Southee (1-48) entered also got in on the action in the seventh over when Duckett (9) was caught by Bracewell with a stunning, one-handed, diving grab for nine, being his 700th international victim—becoming only the second New Zealander after Daniel Vettori to reach that milestone. While he was voted player of the match in England's 267-run victory in the first Test, Brook continued where he left off when he arrived to the crease for the second Test. He quickly completed his half-century off 51 balls in the penultimate over before lunch.

A tale of two centuries

With England leading 101-3 when play resumed after the interval, Brook and Root immediately put the visitors on the back foot, albeit each using a different strategy. In the afternoon session, Brook, who was taking part in only his sixth Test match overall, broke out, scoring his century off just 107 balls before passing the 150-run barrier for the second time in Tests off just 145. The right-hander pounded out 24 fours and five sixes in his inning, particularly punishing Neil Wagner's short and low pitches and medium-pacer Daryl Mitchell's medium-pace pitches. Root was content to play more calmly on the other end,due to the fact that it took him 122 balls to get to 50 and 182 to get his final total of 11 overs after tea. Even so, the 32-year-old was able to display his variety of strokes since New Zealand's bowlers were unable to adequately counter his and Brook's inquiries. Rain began to fall just after Root reached the century mark, enabling him to equal Bradman's record of 29 career tonnes as well. The game was finally called early because to the rain. To make up for those overs lost, day two will continue earlier than scheduled at 9.30 p.m. UK time. Brook will try to push on and secure the first double-hundred of his career in any style of cricket.