New Zealand vs England First ODI

Mount Maunganui, Bay Oval, October 26, 2025 – The first match of the three-match ODI series on New Zealand soil was a challenge for the England team. But the England side, led by Harry Brook, was defeated in this battle at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. In this match held on October 26, 2025, despite a fighting innings of 135 from Harry Brook, brilliant performances from New Zealand’s young batsmen Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell led New Zealand to a 4-wicket victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Harry Brook, as England’s new ODI captain, had to taste the bitterness of defeat in his very first series. A detailed analysis of the match is given below:

First Innings: Harry Brook Sensational Century

Winning the toss, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner decided to field first. After New Zealand pacer Matt Henry (2/53) dismissed Jamie Smith on the very first ball, the dominance of young fast bowler Zachary Foulds (4/41) broke England’s top-order. He took important wickets including Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and Sam Curran. England lost 6 wickets for just 56 runs.

In the face of extreme collapse, the new captain Harry Brook took charge of the team. Brook built a valuable 87-run partnership with all-rounder Jamie Overton (46), guiding the team to a somewhat respectable score. Batting in a destructive mood, Harry Brook played the best innings of his career. He scored an incredible innings of 135 runs off 101 balls, hitting 9 fours and 11 sixes. Despite Brook’s solo fight, the England team was all out for just 223 runs in 35.2 overs due to the dominance of the New Zealand bowlers.

• England Scorecard: 223/10/35.2 Overs

Second Innings: Kane Williamson’s Golden Duck

Chasing an easy target of 224 runs, New Zealand suffered an immediate setback. English pacer Brydon Carse (3/45) dismissed both Will Young and Kane Williamson for 0 (a golden duck) in one over. Consequently, New Zealand came under pressure, losing 3 wickets for just 24 runs.

However, the middle order was stabilized by Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell. Mitchell and Bracewell built a match-winning 92-run partnership for the fifth wicket, bringing New Zealand back into the game. Bracewell played a crucial innings of 51 runs off 51 balls, including 6 fours. Following this, Daryl Mitchell played a solid, unbeaten innings of 78 runs off 91 balls, with 7 fours and 2 sixes, leading New Zealand to victory.

Although England bowlers Brydon Carse took 3 wickets, and Luke Wood and Adil Rashid took 1 each, New Zealand reached the target, losing 6 wickets in just 36.4 overs.

• New Zealand Scorecard: 224/6/36.4 Overs

Top 5 Moments of the Match

1. Harry Brook’s Unbelievable 135: Brook’s 135-run innings off 101 balls came during the team’s extreme crisis (6 wickets for 56 runs), guiding England to a respectable score.
2. Zachary Foulds’ Devastating 4 Wickets: This young New Zealand pacer took 4 crucial wickets of England’s top-order, conceding just 41 runs.
3. Mitchell-Bracewell’s 92-Run Partnership: After New Zealand fell to 24/3, this 92-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell (78*) and Michael Bracewell (51) laid the main foundation for New Zealand’s victory.
4. Williamson’s ‘Golden Duck’: New Zealand’s experienced star Kane Williamson, who was returning to international cricket after nearly 8 months, was out on the first ball, which was an unexpected moment of the match.
5. Player of the Match: Harry Brook: Despite New Zealand winning the match, Harry Brook received the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his incredible innings of 135 runs.

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