Mount Maunganui, 26 October 2025:
Harry Brook produced a sensational counterattacking hundred to rescue England from a disastrous start, guiding them to 223 all out in 35.2 overs in the first ODI against New Zealand on Saturday.
Put in to bat, England were rocked early by Zak Foulkes and Matt Henry as the top order imploded to 10 for 4 within the first five overs. Debutant Jamie Smith fell to the first ball of the innings, while Ben Duckett (2), Joe Root (2) and Jacob Bethell (2) followed in quick succession.
Captain Harry Brook stood firm amid the chaos, launching a fearless counterattack that dragged England back into the contest. He smashed 135 off 101 balls, striking nine fours and 11 sixes in a breathtaking display of clean hitting. Brook shared a vital 87-run stand with Jamie Overton (46 off 54), which steadied the innings after England slumped to 56 for 6.
Foulkes was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 4 for 41, while Henry (2 for 53) and Jacob Duffy (3 for 55) maintained pressure from both ends. Mitchell Santner’s tidy spell (1 for 22) ended Brook’s fireworks when he holed out in the deep, closing the innings at 223.
England’s innings ended in the 36th over, but Brook’s brilliant hundred gave them a fighting total after being on the brink of humiliation at 10 for 4. New Zealand will now chase 224 to take a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.
