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NEW DELHI: New Zealand secured a hard-fought four-wicket victory over England in the first ODI of the series at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, a match defined by a sensational solo batting performance and two dramatic top-order collapses.

Despite the eventual defeat, the game will be remembered for the extraordinary counter-attack led by England’s Harry Brook.

Brook’s Sublime Rescue Mission

The decision by England to bat first quickly backfired as they were dismantled by the home side’s pace attack. Opener Jamie Smith fell to the first delivery of the match off Matt Henry, setting the tone for a nightmare opening spell.

Young pacer Zakary Foulkes then tore through the top order, dismissing Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and Jacob Bethell to leave the tourists reeling at an unimaginable 10 for 4 in the fifth over. When captain Jos Buttler and Sam Curran fell cheaply, England found themselves staring down the barrel at 56 for 6 inside 12 overs.

It was here that Harry Brook stepped up to play one of the most remarkable innings of his career. Displaying audacious confidence and power, Brook launched a spectacular counter-offensive against the New Zealand bowlers.

He found a dependable partner in Jamie Overton, and the pair added a crucial 87 runs for the seventh wicket. While Overton contributed a solid 46 off 54 balls, Brook was in a different league, showcasing a spectacular mix of boundaries and maximums.

Brook hit 9 fours and 11 sixes on his way to a phenomenal 135 runs off just 101 deliveries. Brook’s sheer dominance pulled England from the brink of total embarrassment to a respectable, if modest, total of 223 before he was the final wicket to fall in the 36th over.

New Zealand’s Bowling Brilliance

New Zealand’s bowling effort was defined by an exceptional start and a strong finish. Zakary Foulkes was the chief destroyer in the beginning, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 41, while the experienced Matt Henry took 2 for 53.

The destruction of the lower order was completed by Jacob Duffy, who claimed 3 wickets, ensuring England was bowled out in just 35.2 overs. Skipper Mitchell Santner provided crucial control in the middle overs, maintaining an exceptional economy rate of 3.00 and taking the decisive final wicket of Brook.

Mitchell Anchors the Chase

Chasing 224, the Black Caps’ start was alarmingly similar to England’s. Brydon Carse delivered an immediate double blow, trapping Will Young and then stunning the crowd by dismissing the returning Kane Williamson for a golden duck. When Rachin Ravindra fell soon after, New Zealand had lost three wickets for only 24 runs, giving England an improbable chance to defend their below-par total.

However, Daryl Mitchell swiftly settled the nerves. He constructed a vital 42-run stand with Tom Latham (24 off 24), pulling the team back into contention.

The decisive partnership came with Michael Bracewell. Bracewell attacked the English bowlers effectively, hitting 6 boundaries on his way to an aggressive 51 off 51 balls. Their 92-run stand for the fifth wicket effectively broke the back of the chase.

Despite Bracewell’s unfortunate run-out, Mitchell remained resolute, maintaining his composure and rotating the strike masterfully. He finished the game unbeaten on a superb 78 runs off 91 balls, supported by a late cameo from captain Mitchell Santner (27 off 25). Mitchell hit the winning runs to guide his team across the line with four wickets and 19 balls to spare.