Harry Brook launched 9 sixes earlier than falling for 97 as England kicked off their tour of New Zealand with a sometimes assertive batting efficiency in Hamilton.
After two classes the vacationers had racked up 375 for six, scoring at a punishing price of seven.2 an over as their daring method to the longest format continued to supply loads of thrills and spills.
Captain Ben Stokes opted to not take the sector, permitting Ollie Pope to guide the facet as a substitute. There are not any damage doubts over the skipper, who was mentioned to be blissful along with his preparations and didn’t really feel the necessity to face the native assault.
Brook, who scored three centuries in as many Tests in the course of the whitewash over Pakistan earlier than Christmas, was in electrical kind as he lashed a New Zealand XI to all components of Seddon Park on the primary of two days of warm-up motion.
Rookie leg-spinner Adi Ashok bore the brunt, pounded for 5 consecutive sixes in an over after Brook blocked the primary supply.
The first of these maximums not solely cleared the boundary rope, it additionally soared straight over an ambulance, past a safety fence and on to the primary highway out of the bottom.
Brook additionally confirmed his class towards a confirmed worldwide performer, lacing a flat pull for six extra off Kyle Jamieson, the 6ft 8in Black Caps seamer who is ready to function within the Test sequence later this month.
The Yorkshireman’s innings resulted in becoming vogue after 71 balls, aiming an uppercut at Jarrod McKay and being caught on the ropes at deep third. A number of extra inches on the shot and it could have been a tenth six and one other hundred.
Joe Root had earlier made a totally completed 77 whereas Dan Lawrence, who seems to be set to hold the drinks within the sequence correct, thrashed a vigorous 85. Zak Crawley (17), Ben Duckett (32) and Pope (26) all did not kick on after getting begins.
