England had a mixed opening day against New Zealand in the first Test, with the hosts finishing at 319 for 8 at Hagley Oval. After choosing to bowl first, England’s performance was marked by inconsistent bowling, missed opportunities, and moments of brilliance that kept them in contention.
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, making his return to the team, was the standout performer, crafting a sublime 93. His innings demonstrated the calmness and skill that have defined his career, and he looked set for a century before falling to Gus Atkinson after tea. Atkinson, who initially struggled with no-balls and uneven rhythm at the City End, found better form when bowling from the Botanic Garden End, using bounce effectively to dismiss Williamson with a sharp catch at backward point.
England’s seamers had mixed results. Brydon Carse stood out, offering pace and aggression that troubled the batters. He ended a fluent 47 from Tom Latham in the morning session with a delivery that nipped away, finding an edge to Ollie Pope behind the stumps. Later, Carse’s well-placed bouncer induced a top edge from Daryl Mitchell, caught deep in the outfield by Harry Brook. Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes, however, struggled to make an impact, with Stokes being particularly wayward in his 13 overs.
The most notable performance for England came from off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who impressed with figures of 4 for 69. On a pitch offering little assistance for spin, the 21-year-old showed promise and adaptability. His first breakthrough came when Rachin Ravindra, looking well set on 34, misjudged a full ball and chipped a catch to mid-wicket. Later in the evening, Bashir claimed the wickets of Tom Blundell and Nathan Smith with deliveries that tested the batters’ patience, and he removed Matt Henry, who holed out for 18.
England’s fielding, however, let them down at key moments. Stokes dropped a crucial catch at mid-off in the final hour, giving Glenn Phillips a lifeline. Phillips capitalized on this chance, ending the day unbeaten on 41 and pushing New Zealand past 300 with some late aggression. Earlier, Pope, tidy overall as a wicketkeeper, failed to detect a faint edge from Ravindra before lunch, resulting in a missed opportunity. Additionally, England’s use of reviews was suboptimal, with two burned challenges adding to their frustrations.
New Zealand had started strongly, with Williamson anchoring the innings and partnerships forming around him. The hosts reached 193 for 3 at tea, looking poised for a big score. England’s bowlers, led by Bashir and Carse, clawed back in the final session, taking five wickets to keep the total manageable.
Despite the slow over rate and England’s struggles with consistency, the day offered plenty of action for the spectators. The picturesque Hagley Oval provided a fitting backdrop for a contest that remains finely balanced. England will now look to wrap up the New Zealand innings quickly on the second morning and set a strong foundation in their reply. The match is delicately poised, with both sides having reason for optimism heading into the next phase.
