Brook’s blazing ton in vain as New Zealand crush England in first ODI

Captain Harry Brook’s brilliant century went in vain as hosts New Zealand cruised to a comfortable four-wicket win over England in the opening ODI  at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand on Sunday.

Brook produced a magnificent counterattack, smashing 11 sixes in a 101-ball 135 to lift England to 223 after a disastrous start.

However, New Zealand chased down the modest target with more than 13 overs to spare, reaching 224-6, thanks to Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 78 that sealed victory and gave the Black Caps a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The foundation for New Zealand’s triumph was laid early by seamer Zakary Foulkes, whose devastating spell of 4-41 ripped through England’s top order.

The visitors were reduced to 10-4 and later 56-6 after being sent in to bat on a seamer-friendly pitch.

Brook launched a remarkable recovery, combining aggression with resilience. He reached his century with three consecutive sixes off Jacob Duffy and surpassed his previous best ODI score of 110 not out, achieved against Australia last year.

His effort, however, lacked support — only Jamie Overton managed double figures, contributing a career-best 46 in a seventh-wicket partnership of 87 with Brook.

Veteran seamer Matt Henry (2-53) set the tone by dismissing opener Jamie Smith with the first ball of the innings, while Foulkes’ double strike removed Ben Duckett and Joe Root in his opening over.

Chasing 224, New Zealand too endured early trouble as England pacer Brydon Carse (3-45) removed Will Young and Kane Williamson in his first over. Williamson, returning from an eight-month injury layoff, fell for a golden duck — the first in his 166-match ODI career.

Mitchell, however, steadied the innings with composed partnerships alongside Tom Latham (24) and Michael Bracewell (51). Dropped on 33, Mitchell capitalized on the reprieve to anchor New Zealand’s chase and finish unbeaten.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner praised his new-ball attack, particularly Foulkes, who was playing just his second ODI.

The second ODI will be played in Hamilton on Wednesday, followed by the final match in Wellington on Saturday.

England had earlier claimed the rain-hit three-match T20 series 1-0.