England seizes momentum on day one, claiming five wickets in the final session after a resilient knock from Kane Williamson.
The first Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch was an exhilarating contest that saw New Zealand close day one at a challenging 319-8, despite a brilliant fightback led by England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir. Williamson, who returned to Test cricket after missing New Zealand's triumphant 3-0 series win in India due to a groin injury, impressed with a gritty 93. The Black Caps seemed poised for a strong total, but England's late surge, including a destructive spell from Bashir, turned the tide, leaving the hosts with a weakened grip on the match.
Williamson, just seven runs shy of his 33rd Test century, anchored New Zealand’s innings with poise. Despite his outstanding performance, it was England who finished the day on top. The hosts were in a solid position at 227-4, with Williamson looking imperious alongside his partners. However, the dismissal of Williamson sparked a collapse, as Bashir struck four crucial blows to halt New Zealand’s momentum. The former was caught at backward point off Gus Atkinson’s bowling, a pivotal moment that triggered a mini-collapse of 3-25 in the final session.
Bashir, who ended with figures of 4-69, was instrumental in turning the game in England's favour. His scalps included Tom Blundell (17), debutant Nathan Smith (3), and Matt Henry (18), who was dismissed after a smart catch by Atkinson at long-on. The English off-spinner’s performance was a masterclass in tight, pressure-building bowling, turning what could have been a tough day for the tourists into a spirited fightback.
However, New Zealand’s day wasn’t without controversy. Glenn Phillips, who remained unbeaten on 41, was dropped early on nought by England’s captain Ben Stokes at mid-off, while a caught-behind appeal against Phillips off Stokes was overturned when the batter reviewed. England, not at their best in the morning and afternoon, had struggled with their line and length on a greenish pitch, allowing New Zealand to score freely, including 35 extras. But after tea, the tourists regained their discipline, showing improved skills and mindset as they aimed for a series win in New Zealand, which has eluded them since 2008.
The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy is up for grabs in this series, named after the late New Zealand captain Martin Crowe and former England batter Graham Thorpe. It’s a fitting tribute to two of the games finest, with the combined bats of Crowe and Thorpe offering a symbolic prize for the victors of this closely contested series. Crowe's bat, with which he scored a famous century at Lord's in 1994, and Thorpe's bat, which he used to score back-to-back centuries in New Zealand in 1997, are both part of the trophy, adding a rich layer of history to this exciting series.
The day’s action also saw England debutant Jacob Bethell bowl one over of left-arm spin, though it was a mixed start. His first delivery was swept for four by Williamson, but the young spinner tightened up afterward, showing potential despite a challenging introduction. Bethell will bat at No. 3 for England in the next Test, with Ollie Pope stepping down to No. 6 to accommodate the change. Pope’s role is especially critical as he will also take up wicket keeping duties following a thumb injury to Jordan Cox, leaving England with an altered squad dynamic.
Williamson's return to the Test fold has been a significant boost for New Zealand. His maturity and experience at the crease continue to shine through, and it’s evident that England will need to produce a similarly ruthless performance in the second innings if they are to capitalize on the opportunity to win their first Test series in New Zealand in over 15 years. As day one came to a close, England had managed to claw back some momentum, but with Phillips still at the crease and New Zealand's tail yet to fully collapse, the match remains finely poised.
