‘Just extraordinary’ - WATCH: Harry Brook dances down the track to smash Nathan Smith for huge six

England batter Harry Brook scored his 8th Test century during the opening day of the second Test century against New Zealand. This is the 2nd successive century for the right-handed batter who had scored 171 in the previous game in Christchurch. England were bowled out for 280 and reduced New Zealand to 86/5 at stumps. 

The best moment of the opening day came when Harry Brook left the commentators stunned with an outrageous hit. Nathan Smith was bowling to Brook who came down the track and smashed the Kiwi pacer over extra cover for a huge six. At that stage, England were 50/4 in the 15th over, as Brook’s audacious shot left the fans stunned. 

Harry Brook is in the mood 😮‍💨

He cracks one over cover into the road ☄

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Tom Latham won the toss and chose to bowl first to make good use of the conditions for the bowlers. Matt Henry struck in the second ball of the 4th over when he dismissed Ben Duckett for a duck. Zak Crawley scored 17 runs before Henry bowled him to claim his 2nd wicket. 

Harry Brook ton leads England to strong start on 1st Day 

Joe Root became the third wicket of the day as the former England skipper fell for 3 runs. Nathan Smith, who is playing in front of his home crowd got the wicket of Root then dismissed Jacob Bethell for 16. Just like the first game, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook came to England’s rescue with a stand of 174 runs which came in 158 balls. 

Ollie Pope batted aggressively to score 66 off just 78 balls with the help of 7 fours and a six. Harry Brook was the 7th man out after scoring 123 runs from 115 balls with 11 fours and five huge hits. Nathan Smith was the best bowler for the home team as he picked 4/86 from 11.4 overs. 

Devon Conway scored 11 before he was out-caught by Harry Brook off Gus Atkinson. Former skipper Kane Williamson got off the mark with a four and batted aggressively to score 37 runs from 56 balls. Ben Stokes then dismissed Tom Latham for 17 before Brydon got the wickets of danger men Williamson and Daryl Mitchell (6). Rachin Ravindra was out for 3 when he was caught by Carse to give Woakes his 1st wicket. At stumps, New Zealand were 86/5 still trailing by 194 runs.