The much-anticipated England tour of New Zealand, 2024 kicked off with a two-day warm-up match between the New Zealand XI and England at the picturesque John Davies Oval, Queenstown, on November 23-24, 2024. The game ended in a hard-fought draw.
First Innings: England’s Bowling Challenges
New Zealand XI batted first, putting England’s bowlers to the test. Led by Shoaib Bashir’s impressive figures of 2/130 from 25 overs, the visiting attack struggled for consistency on a batting-friendly surface. Jack Leach, who bowled 19 overs, went wicketless but maintained discipline, conceding just 66 runs. The New Zealand XI posted a commendable 313/5 declared in their first innings. Contributions from Jesse Tashkoff (a rapid 56 off 62 balls) and Snehith Reddy (33 off 49) showcased the depth in the home side’s batting order.
England’s First Innings: Joe Root Holds the Fort in England Tour of New Zealand 2024
In reply, England struggled early, with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett falling cheaply. Harry Brook and Ollie Pope followed suit, leaving England reeling at 40/4. Enter Joe Root, the ever-reliable former captain, who anchored the innings with a measured 82. Root’s stroke play, punctuated by well-timed boundaries and clever strike rotation, provided some much-needed stability. Chris Woakes chipped in with 6, but it was ultimately Root’s 54-ball vigil that helped England reach a modest total of 249.
Second Innings Drama: New Zealand XI Declare, England Hang On
With a lead in hand, New Zealand XI came out aggressively in their second innings. Batting with intent, they declared at 313/5, led by a fiery Tashkoff, who blazed away to 56, supported by Riley Mudford and Reddy’s contributions. This declaration left England chasing 314 for an unlikely victory. England’s second innings was a rollercoaster of emotions. Root again led the charge with an unbeaten 81 off 49 balls, but wickets fell around him at alarming regularity. Ben Stokes, in his trademark attacking style, struck 59 off 39 balls, including five boundaries and two towering sixes, offering hope to the visitors. However, tight bowling from New Zealand XI, including standout spells by Nikith Perera and Jesse Tashkoff, left England teetering at 196/9 by the close of play.
England Tour of New Zealand 2024 Match Highlights
- Joe Root’s Brilliance: Root was undoubtedly the standout performer, scoring 82 in the first innings and a breathtaking 81 in the second. His ability to read the game and counter the bowlers with ease will be vital for England in the series.
- Ben Stokes’ Cameo: Stokes’ 59 in the second innings brought the chase alive and served as a reminder of his match-winning potential.
The Road Ahead: What’s Coming Up on England Tour of New Zealand 2024
The two-day match has revealed areas of improvement for both teams. England will look to strengthen their batting depth and consistency, while New Zealand XI demonstrated their potential to challenge the visitors with both bat and ball.
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