England's Brydon Carse, centre, celebrates the wicket of Daryl Mitchell with Ben Stokes, left, and Shoaib Bashir on the first day of the first cricket test against the Black Caps. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2024 www.photosport.nz
Late strikes have handed England the ascendancy in the first cricket test against the Black Caps in Christchurch.
Looking set for another test ton, Kane Williamson lost his wicket late on day one on 93, the tail now exposed to the English attack.
At stumps, with Glen Phillips, 41*, and Tim Southee 10*, in the middle, New Zealand was 319/8 after 83 overs.
England won the toss on day one of the opener in Christchurch, sending the Kiwis into bat at Hagley Oval.
After all the anticipation, it did not take long for action as Devon Conway was out in the second over, hitting one hard back at bowler Gus Aitkinson who threw a mitt out as the ball stuck.
His opening partner and skipper Tom Latham fared better, making a quick-fire 47, before he was caught behind.
Cue a trademark Williamson innings, the country's premier batter back after he sat out the India tour with injury.
New Zealand player Kane Williamson. Photo: Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz
It took him a while to warm up, needing 14 balls for his first run and then another 47 for his first boundary, but once into his work the runs flowed seamlessly.
He brought up his 36th test 50 before lunch, with Ravindra offering sound support at the other end.
Ravindra enjoyed a lucky reprieve early on, after he nicked one behind, but no one noticed, appealed or reviewed.
However, he was out not long after for 34 to Shoaib Bashir, while Daryl Mitchell came and went for 19.
Williamson continued to accumulate but just as his century was in sight, he held out to Aitkinson.
Tom Blundell did little to trouble the scoresheet as he was sent packing for 17, debutant Nathan Smith next to go for just three, followed by Henry who fell for a fighting 17.
Phillips was dropped by Ben Stokes on one, surviving to stumps with Southee with an unbroken 21-run stand.
Bashir finished the day with figures of 4/69.
The series will have the first ever Crowe-Thorpe trophy on the line, in memory of two cricket greats Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe.
In a pre-game tribute, the trophy was brought out by Crowe's sister Deb and grandson Tim, and Thorpe's former teammate and skipper Michael Atherton.
Day two will resume at 11am.
