Tag: New Zealand vs England

Ben Stokes becomes third batter to hit hundred sixes in Test cricket

Posted on by A Sports

LEEDS: England’s newly-appointed Test captain Ben Stokes achieved a unique milestone in the longest format of the game as the left-hander became just the third batter to hit hundred sixes.

The English all-rounder Stokes reached the unique milestone and equalled Australia’s legendary wicket-keeper batter, Adam Gilchrist, as he hit his hundredth six in Tests. His head coach Brendon McCullum, tops the chart with 107 sixes.

 

With Stokes becoming just the third batter to hit hundred sixes in Test cricket, he has also become the first player to hit hundred sixes and claimed as many wickets in the longest format of the game.

In the match, Stokes played a brief knock of 18 runs in 13 balls and smashed two boundaries and a six. That six bolstered the all-rounder to amass his century of sixes in Test cricket.

It is pertinent to mention here that the right-arm pacer Stokes has bagged 137 wickets in 81 matches at an average of 32.67 and an economy rate of 3.29.

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Bairstow, Overton defy wickets’ spree to keep third Test in balance

Posted on by A Sports

LEEDS: England’s last match hero Jonny Bairstow shone in the third Test with a gritty century as he and the debutant Jamie Overton put on a valiant partnership to neutralize the early havoc by the New Zealand bowlers on the second day.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand’s overnight pair of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell resumed the proceedings for the touring side at 225/5 before the latter’s valiant knock of 55 runs after adding 18 runs into the team’s total on the second day.

Following their partnership, the touring batting tail began to crumble as the side was losing wickets at an alarming rate. New Zealand’s top-scorer Mitchell, on the other hand, held his ground firm and scored his third consecutive century.

The right-handed batter top-scored for the side with 109 runs off 228 balls, laced with nine boundaries and three sixes.

With Mitchell’s dismissal in the 116th over, the tailenders did little to none to resist the strong English bowling attack and the side was soon bowled out for 329 in the second session.

For England, Jack Leach starred with a five-fer, while Stuart Broad chipped in with his three. Overton and Matthew Potts, on the other hand, struck out a batter each.

In response, the home side was off to a dismal start as the Kiwi pacers ran through the English top order and the hosts were struggling at 55-6 in the 12th over.

Following the early horror, the pair of Bairstow and Overton neutralized the trouble as they displayed sheer grit to bring their side back in the game and carried their bats till the stumps.

England’s last match hero Bairstow amassed his century, while Overton is 11 away from the milestone on his debut when the umpires dislodged the bails.

Following their astounding unbeaten partnership, England manage to find themselves in a comfortable position as they finished on 264-6 in 49 overs.

Bairstow (130) and Overton (89) will now resume the proceedings for the home side on the third day.

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Mitchell, Blundell stand firm as New Zealand score 225/5 at Stumps

Posted on by A Sports

LEEDS: New Zealand’s reliable pair of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell stood firm with their unbeaten fifth-wicket century-plus partnership as the touring side finished on 225/5 at the conclusion of the first day of the ongoing third Test.

At the Toss, the New Zealand captain Kane Williamson opted to bat first after the coin flipped in his favour in the third match of the series, led by the hosts 2-0.

Batting first, the touring side sustained early trouble as they lost three wickets at an alarming rate with their returning captain Williamson also making his way back after scoring 31 off 64.

The left-handed opener Tom Latham was the first casualty for the side as he fell to veteran pacer Stuart Broad for a duck in the first over. His opening partner Will Young, on the other hand, could only manage to score 20 to his name before England spinner Jack Leach trapped him in his legs.

The pair of Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls then attempted to anchor the innings for the touring side but could only add 21 runs to the team’s total before England’s debutant Jamie Overton castled the latter to claim his first Test wicket. Conway scored 26 off 62 balls with the help of five boundaries.

 

With the side struggling to get going at 83/4, Nicholls, who was looking to keep his end tight put on a valuable 40-run partnership with Mitchell before losing his wicket in an unusual way as his straight drive took off from the middle of Mitchell’s bat and went straight to the fielder at mid-off. The bizarre dismissal put an end to Nicholls’ gritty knock of 19 runs, for which he faced 99 balls.

The pair of Mitchell and Blundell seemed to remain unaffected by the bizarre dismissal of Nicholls as they went on to neutralise the threat by the strong English bowling attack and remained unbeaten till the conclusion of the opening day.

New Zealand’s top-scorer of the ongoing series Mitchell starred again as he remained unbeaten with his astonishing 78 off 159 balls, laced with six boundaries and two sixes. Blundell, on the other hand, is five short of his half-century.

The duo will now resume the proceedings for the touring side on 225/5 on the second day of the third Test, while the English bowlers will be looking to break their partnership.

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Anderson ruled out from third Test against New Zealand, Overton to debut

Posted on by A Sports

LEEDS: Right-arm seamer from Surrey, Jamie Overton will make his Test debut in the third and final Test against New Zealand as the veteran pacer James Anderson has been ruled out with an ankle injury, England’s Test captain Ben Stokes announced on Wednesday. 

Overton, who received a maiden call-up to the Test squad following his incredible run in the ongoing County Championship, will be replacing the injured Anderson to make his Test debut tomorrow.

“Unfortunately Jimmy’s not pulled up as well as we would have liked him too, so Jamie Overton’s going to make his debut this week,” Stokes told Sky Sports.

“It’s unfortunate for Jimmy, but we’ve got a massive test against India coming up as well. I’m not too sure how serious it is, to be honest. He’s just got a bit of a puffy ankle,” he added.

With Overton making his debut in the third Test means his brother Craig Overton will miss out to make it into the Playing XI.

“That’s the only change this week. As tempting as it was to get both twins out there playing for England, Jamie’s the only change,” Stokes announced.

It is pertinent to mention here that England have an unassailable 2-0 lead against the world Test champions, following five-wicket wins at Lord’s and Trent Bridge.

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Unwell Ben Stokes misses training ahead of Headingley Test

Posted on by A Sports

LEEDS: England’s newly-appointed Test captain Ben Stokes has missed his side’s scheduled training session ahead of the third Test of the series against New Zealand.

Stokes has not yet joined the team in Leeds after becoming ill over the weekend while at home in Cockermouth.

According to an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) spokesperson, Stokes had returned a negative result from a Covid test taken on Tuesday morning.

The skipper, however, is being kept away from the squad as a precautionary measure.

It is pertinent to mention here that the ECB did not appoint Stokes’ deputy and will be needed to name an interim captain if the all-rounder does not recover in time.

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Jamie Overton earns maiden Test call-up for Headingley Test

Posted on by Zahid Noor

LEEDS: England’s right-arm pacer earned a maiden Test call-up as England Men’s selection panel have named a 14-member squad for the third Test against New Zealand starting at Headingley on 23 June.

Following his amazing run in the ongoing County Championship, the Surrey seamer Jamie Overton has received a call-up to the Test squad for the first time and will join his brother Craig in the squad.

The right-arm pacer has been in exceptional form for the league leaders Surrey in the Division One of the County Championship as he bagged 21 wickets at an average of 21.61.

The recently-announced England Test squad will report to Headingley on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the match starting on Thursday. England lead the three-match series 2-0.

ENGLAND SQUAD: Ben Stokes (Durham), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Jack Leach (Somerset), Alex Lees (Durham), Craig Overton (Somerset), Jamie Overton (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Joe Root (Yorkshire)

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Root’s century bolsters England to defeat New Zealand in the Lord’s Test

Posted on by A Sports

LONDON: England’s middle-order batter Joe Root displayed grit as he scored a magnificent century to help his side blunt New Zealand by five wickets in the Lord’s Test of the ongoing series.

In a match, mostly dominated by the bowlers, Root had to fight hard for his century and he did so to amass triple figures 26th time in Test cricket.

The home side resumed their run chase on 216/5, needing another 61 runs before Root put on a brilliant unbeaten partnership with Ben Foakes and made sure the side does not falter.

Root remained unbeaten with his astounding knock of 115 runs and smashed 12 boundaries. Foakes, on the other hand, also chipped with 32 not-out with the help of three boundaries.

With his impressive knock in the Lord’s Test, Root has also completed 10,000 runs in Test cricket; becoming just the 14th overall and the second Englishman to achieve the milestone.

England’s newly-appointed Test captain Ben Stokes, who started his new role with a victory also assisted his team in the run chase as he scored a brilliant half-century; putting on an important 90-run partnership for the fifth wicket. He remained the second top-scorer behind Root, with his 54 off 110 deliveries.

For New Zealand, Kyle Jamieson starred with four wickets, while Trent Boult managed to bag a wicket.

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Mitchell, Blundell eye centuries, defy wickets’ spree at Lord’s Test

Posted on by A Sports

LONDON: New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and wicket-keeper batter Tom Blundell stunned England’s bowler on the second day of Lord’s Test match, as the pair revived the batter’s hope with their 180 runs fifth-wicket partnership in a bowlers’ dominated match.

The strong-looking partnership cemented New Zealand’s grip on the Test match as the side achieved a lead of 227 runs over England.

New Zealand started their second inning with a deficit of nine runs as England were all out on 141 in the first session. Right-arm pacer Tim Southee sent four batters to the pavilion with his agonizing pace along with left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult who bagged three wickets for his side.

New Zealand batting jittered and showcased a similar woeful start to their second innings as the side lost three wickets on 38 runs before the lunch.

Kiwi batter Devon Conway soon followed the suit after the lunch as he fell prey to the fast bowler Stuart Board in a caught behind.

Blundell came out on crease when Kiwis were struggling at 51/4 and played cautiously with Michell. The pair faced fierce-looking England’s bowlers as they played till the end of the day’s play.

All-rounder Mitchell scored 97 runs off 188 balls which included 11 boundaries. Blundell, on the other hand, minted 90 runs off 182 balls as he hit the ball for the boundaries 12 times.

New Zealand will resume their second inning from 236/4 on the third day of Lord’s Test.

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Women’s WC: England beat New Zealand in a low scoring thriller

Posted on by A Sports

AUCKLAND: England’s middle-order batter Nat Sciver shone with the bat to keep England’s world cup hopes alive as the defending champions beat the hosts New Zealand by one wicket in the 19th match of the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup, here on Sunday.

In the first innings, England’s bowlers did well to bowl out the hosts New Zealand for a paltry 203 in the 49th over. Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone took three wickets each for England, while Charlie Dean also contributed with two wickets.

The right-handed middle-order batter Maddy Green fought hard with her unbeaten fifty, while the skipper Sophie Devine also played a gritty knock of 41. Green remained the top-scorer for the home side as she scored 52 runs off 75 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six.

The rest of the White Ferns’ batters could not contribute significantly to bolster the side to a commendable total.

Set to chase a skimpy 204, England were also off to a poor start as the defending champions lost both their openers Danni Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont for 12 and 25 respectively.

The skipper Heather Knight and Sciver then anchored the run chase with an important 45-runs partnership for the third wicket before the former made her way back after scoring a valiant 42.

Sciver, on the other hand, stood firm and kept the scoreboard ticking when the wickets were tumbling at the other end. She top-scored for the side with 61 off 108 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.

The right-handed all-rounder Sophie Dunkey also chipped in as she played an important knock of 33 before France Mackay castled her in the 41st over.

England’s batting tail then held their nerves calm as they made sure to steer their side to the victory in the 48th over. Anya Shrubsole remained unbeaten on seven as she hit the winning run for the defending champions.

For New Zealand, Mackay bagged four wickets, while Jess Kerr struck out two batters. Lea Tahuhu and Brooke Halliday made one scalp each.

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New Zealand defeat England to advance to T20 World Cup final

Posted on by A Sports

ABU DHABI: New Zealand beat England by five wickets on Wednesday to reach the T20 World Cup final.

The Black Caps chased down a 167-run target by losing five wickets in the 19th over the T20 World Cup semi-final played at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

New Zealand opener Daryl Mitchell carried his bat in a stunning knock, producing a brilliant late display of power-hitting. Mitchell smashed an unbeaten 72 runs.

Chasing the target, New Zealand were in trouble at 13-2 and 107-4 when Jimmy Neesham hit an 11-ball 27 and Mitchell finished it off with a boundary.

From England’s bowling side, Chris Woakes pick early two wickets in the Powerplay. Liam Livingstone also took two wickets by giving away just 22 runs in 4 overs.

Daryl Michell won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant match-winning knock. New Zealand will face either Australia or Pakistan in T20 World Cup final.

Pakistan will face Australia in the second semi-final on Thursday.

First innings

Batting first, England have set a 167-run target for New Zealand in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

England, electing to bat, finished at 166 at the loss of four wickets in their 20 overs thanks to a half-century by batter Moeen Ali.

The all-rounder played an unbeaten knock of 51 from 37 deliveries with three fours and two sixes to his name.

He put on a 63-run partnership with David Malan, who made 30-ball 41.

Dawid Malan hit four boundaries and a six to his name.

As far as New Zealand’s bowling was concerned, Tim Southee along with Adam Milne, Ish Sodh and James Neesham took a wicket each.

SQUADS

England Jos Buttler (wk), Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan (capt), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Billings, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

New Zealand Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (capt), Devon Conway (wk), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult.