CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Harry Brook played a pivotal role in England’s batting lineup, scoring 171 runs and helping set a solid first innings lead on Saturday, the third day of their inaugural test match against New Zealand.
Brook’s dismissal came just before the drinks break, ending a significant 159-run partnership with Ben Stokes.
At the lunch interval, Stokes was not out at 78, while Byrdon Carse had only managed five runs, placing England at 459-8, giving them a lead of 111 runs over New Zealand’s first innings score of 348.
Starting the day with 132 runs under his belt and England at 319-5, Brook and Stokes formed a formidable partnership that saw them rack up their century in just 135 balls. Brook surpassed the 150-run mark for the fourth time in his test career, needing only 193 balls to achieve this feat.
Stokes resumed with 37 runs and reached his 35th half-century off 105 balls, a relatively slower pace as England’s batting was explosive in the morning session, amassing 140 runs at over six runs per over.
England quickly outpaced New Zealand’s total, achieving the milestone with five wickets in hand just 6.4 overs into the day.
With New Zealand’s fielding proving to be an issue, Brook benefited from a dropped catch for the fifth time in his innings. Glenn Phillips missed the opportunity at gully from a delivery by Will O’Rourke when Brook was on 132.
Earlier in the match, Brook had been dropped on four occasions—by Phillips at 18, Tom Latham at 41, Devon Conway at 70, and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell at 112, all showcasing the misfielding issues faced by the Kiwi side.
Eventually, Brook was dismissed, caught by Blundell off a Matt Henry delivery, in the sixth over with the fresh ball as England stood at 381-6. He had arrived at the crease with England reeling at 45-3 before lunch on day two.
Brook’s remarkable innings helped stabilize the game with a vital 151-run partnership alongside Ollie Pope, who contributed 77 runs, setting England in a commanding position with Stokes.
Before lunch, England also lost Chris Woakes for just one run, caught by Latham off Tim Southee’s bowling, while Gus Atkinson made a quick 48 runs from just 35 balls before being caught by Phillips off Nathan Smith.
Atkinson’s brisk innings included four fours and two sixes, featuring a 63-run partnership with Stokes, further highlighting England’s aggressive batting style during this test match.