WATCH: Joe Root smashes Neil Wagner reverse scoop in the first Test against New Zealand at Bay Oval

Published on February 16, 2023

England locked horns against New Zealand in the two-match Test series. The first match of the series is played at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. The game started on February 16. The second and final match of the series will be played at Basin Reserve, Wellington, from February 24 to February 28.

In the first Test, Blackcaps skipper Tim Southee won the toss and elected to bowl first. While batting first, the Three Lions lost their opener Zak Crawly in just the third over of the innings, when the team’s score was 18. The 25-year-old was able to score only four runs.

After the fall of Crawly’s wicket, right-hand batter Ollie Pope came into the crease. He along with the other opener Ben Duckett built up a partnership of 99 runs before the opener was sent back to the pavilion. Duckett, before going back to the dressing room, scored 84 runs off just 68 balls at a strike rate of around 124, which included 14 boundaries.

After Duckett’s wicket former England skipper, Joe Root came onto the crease. He hit Neil Wagner on the third ball of the 24th over in such a way that everyone was surprised. In fact, Wagner bowled the yorker length on which Root turned round and showing the face of the bat, hit him behind and hit a brilliant sweep.

Watch Joe Root’s boundary here:

If you’ve woken up in the middle of the night don’t watch this it will keep you awake 😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/IuBtAYYNHu
— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) February 16, 2023

Root, before getting dismissed, was able to score only 14 runs. After his dismissal star England batter Harry Brook came into the crease. He is currently batting at the score of 79 runs in 64 balls at a strike rate of above 123, which includes 14 boundaries and a six. He is currently batting wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes, who is batting at a score of 27 runs, which includes 4 boundaries.

England, at the end of the second session on Day 1, have scored 279 for five. Pope contributed 42 runs to the side which included six fours and England skipper Ben Stokes scored 19 runs which included three boundaries