England’s emerging stars, Harry Brook and Ollie Pope, reached significant milestones in Test cricket during the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Friday.
Pope and Brook achieved landmarks of 3,000 and 2,000 Test runs, respectively, as they formed a crucial 151-run partnership after England had slumped to 71/4. Pope, returning to form, scored 77 runs off 98 balls, hitting eight boundaries with a strike rate of 78. Meanwhile, Brook finished the day unbeaten on 132 from 163 balls, which included 10 fours and two sixes, and a strike rate of over 80.
In 53 Tests, Pope has now accumulated 3,013 runs at an average of 34.23, with seven centuries and 14 fifties. His best score is 205, and his strike rate stands at 63.65.
Brook, in contrast, has put up staggering numbers in just 22 Tests since his debut in 2022. He has scored 2,063 runs at an average of 60.67 and a strike rate of 87.26. With seven centuries and nine fifties in 36 innings, his highest score is 317. He is now the second-fastest England player to reach 2,000 Test runs, behind only Herbert Sutcliffe.
Brook has also had great success in New Zealand, where he has scored 461 runs in three Tests, with two centuries and two fifties, and an average of 115.25. His highest score in New Zealand is 186.
By the end of day two, England was 319/5, with Brook (132*) and Ben Stokes (37*) unbeaten.
Earlier, New Zealand resumed the day at 319/8, with Glenn Phillips on 41* and Tim Southee on 10*. Phillips reached a well-fought fifty, but Brydon Carse and Shoaib Bashir quickly dismissed Southee and Will O’Rourke, ending New Zealand’s innings at 348. Carse (4/64) and Bashir (4/69) were the pick of the bowlers, supported by Gus Atkinson, who took two wickets.
England’s chase began poorly as they lost Zak Crawley for a duck off 12 balls. Although Ben Duckett and debutant Jacob Bethell tried to build a partnership, they were dismissed by debutant pacer Nathan Smith, who claimed Bethell (10) and clean bowled Joe Root for a duck, leaving England at 45/3. Will O’Rourke then dismissed Duckett for 46, and England was in trouble at 71/4.
However, Pope and Brook counter-attacked, playing aggressive shots and bringing up the 100-run mark in just 27.2 overs. Brook reached his half-century off 65 balls, while Pope brought up his in 59 balls. Their partnership brought England to 200 in 48 overs.
Pope was dismissed for 77, caught brilliantly by Phillips off Southee, and England was 222/5. Brook continued his onslaught, reaching his seventh Test century off 123 balls. He and Stokes then added an unbeaten 97-run stand.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand: 348 (Kane Williamson 93, Glenn Phillips 58, Brydon Carse 4/64)
England: 319/5 (Harry Brook 132*, Ollie Pope 77*, Nathan Smith 2/86)