It was one of those golden days in cricket when the ocean breeze from Mount Maunganui seemed to hum in rhythm with the beating hearts of the fans. The Chemist Warehouse ODI series between New Zealand and England promised high-octane action—and boy, did it deliver. Under the clear blue skies at Bay Oval, drama unfolded across every over, culminating in a thrilling four-wicket victory for the Kiwis.
This was a match that had everything: early destruction, middle-order redemption, and a breathtaking finish. For England, it was a day of lost opportunities, while for New Zealand, it was a much-needed return to that elusive winning feeling.
A Perfect Setting, A Surprising Decision
The morning in Mount Maunganui was picture-perfect—sunlight glistening off the water, a gentle wind whispering across the stands, and a full house ready for cricket’s finest. England captain Jos Buttler looked confident at the toss, but when Kane Williamson and New Zealand chose to field first, it raised a few eyebrows.
The pitch looked flat—ideal for batting—but the Kiwi think tank had other ideas. With the evening dew expected to play tricks and a hint of swing on offer under the lights, they gambled on their pacers to make early inroads. And what a decision that turned out to be!
Early Thunder: Henry and Duffy Rip Through England’s Top Order
New Zealand’s pace duo, Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy, were electric with the new ball. The English top order—usually fearless, usually ferocious—looked anything but. The ball seamed, swung, and sang in the cool Bay Oval air.
- Jamie Smith was the first to go, cleaned up beautifully by Henry’s inswinger that nipped through the gate.
- Joe Root, England’s elegant run machine, followed soon after—bowled by a seaming delivery that kissed the top of off stump.
- Then, it was Ben Duckett, trapped in a web of movement, before Liam Livingstone nicked one behind.
In no time, England were 10 for 4, stunned and gasping. The Kiwi bowlers were relentless, their lines impeccable, their energy unmatched. Every delivery was a question, and England seemed to have no answers.
Enter Harry Brook: The Lone Warrior
When all seemed lost, Harry Brook walked in—and the game changed its tone completely. Calm, confident, and controlled, Brook began the great English revival.
He took a few overs to assess the movement, but once settled, he unleashed a masterclass in controlled aggression. His timing was exquisite; his placement, near-perfect.
Boundaries began to flow—elegant drives, crisp pulls, and audacious flicks. He found able company in Craig Overton, who provided stability at the other end. Together, they stitched a crucial partnership that pulled England out of the rubble.
Brook’s innings was pure theatre:
- He brought up his century in just 95 balls, an innings peppered with 11 sixes and 9 fours.
- He dominated both pace and spin, using his wrists and power to maneuver the field.
- Each shot carried authority—the lofted drives over long-on were breathtaking, the pulls through midwicket brutal.
By the time he was dismissed for 135 off 101 balls, England had clawed their way to 223 all out, a total that looked improbable an hour earlier.
Bowling Brilliance: Duffy and Folks Shine
For New Zealand, the bowling effort was top-class. Zack Folks was the standout, his spell of 4 for 41 tearing the English lineup apart. Duffy supported brilliantly, claiming 3 for 55, while Henry’s early strikes set the tone.
It was a disciplined performance—tight lengths, clever use of slower balls, and sharp catching in the field. Despite Brook’s brilliance, England’s total seemed just about par on a ground that historically favored chasing sides.
The Chase Begins: A Rocky Start for the Kiwis
New Zealand’s innings started in chaos. Will Young fell early, cleaned up by a beauty from Sam Curran. Then, in a moment that silenced the crowd, Kane Williamson, returning to ODIs after months, was dismissed for a golden duck.
At 8 for 2, the home side was wobbling. England’s bowlers—Curran, Wood, and Overton—were right on the money, hitting the deck hard, getting movement, and keeping the scoring in check.
When Rachin Ravindra fell cheaply, the score read 29 for 3. It felt like the game was tilting toward England again.
But cricket, as always, had other plans.
Mitchell and Bracewell: The Partnership of Steel
The rescue act began with Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell—two men known for grit and composure. They didn’t panic. Instead, they built slowly, nudging singles, punishing loose balls, and wearing down the English attack.
Mitchell was pure class—steady in defense, punishing anything overpitched. Bracewell, the aggressor of the pair, used the reverse sweep to perfection and targeted the shorter boundaries.
Their partnership blossomed:
- 50 came off 67 balls.
- Then, 100 came off 110.
- The crowd came alive again.
Mitchell reached his half-century with a punch down the ground—five boundaries of elegance and timing. Soon after, Bracewell joined him with his own fifty, featuring some stunning drives through cover and audacious ramps over the keeper.
A Run-Out and a Twist
Just when it looked like the pair would take New Zealand home comfortably, disaster struck. A risky single turned fatal—Bracewell was run out for 50, caught short by inches. The partnership of 102 runs ended, and the tension in the ground was back.
Mitchell, however, stood firm. Calm as ever, he rotated strike, found gaps, and made sure New Zealand stayed on course.
The Final Surge: Santner Steps Up
Captain Mitchell Santner walked in and wasted no time. With the asking rate creeping up, he unleashed his power game—hammering a couple of boundaries and a massive six over long-on.
He and Mitchell took the attack to England’s spinners, turning the tide once again. When Santner cracked a straight drive for four, the equation dropped to just 10 needed off 12.
A couple of streaky boundaries later, it was all over.
New Zealand had chased down 224 with four wickets in hand and nine balls to spare.
New Zealand’s Redemption
The crowd erupted. Flags waved, fans sang, and the players embraced. For a side that had recently suffered rain-interrupted matches and tough losses in the T20s, this victory meant more than just a number on the scoreboard.
It was about belief. It was about momentum.
Daryl Mitchell, unbeaten and unflappable, finished on 86 not out, the architect of a classic chase. Santner, with his cameo, proved his captaincy instincts were spot-on.
Final Scorecard Highlights
England (All Out – 223, 46.5 overs)
- Harry Brook – 135 (101)
- Craig Overton – 46 (58)
- Zack Folks – 4/41
- Jacob Duffy – 3/55
- Matt Henry – 2/53
New Zealand (224/6, 48.3 overs)
- Daryl Mitchell – 86* (104)
- Michael Bracewell – 50 (67)
- Santner – 28* (18)
- Sam Curran – 2/36
- Luke Wood – 2/49
Player of the Match: Daryl Mitchell
While Harry Brook’s century was one for the ages, the award went to Daryl Mitchell—for his calm under pressure, his match awareness, and his flawless finishing touch. His innings was a lesson in pacing a chase: patience early, aggression late, and absolute clarity throughout.
Post-Match Reflections
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand Captain):
“It’s great to get the win after a tough T20 series. The bowlers set the tone early, and then Daryl and Bracewell were brilliant in the middle. The crowd here is always special—it feels good to bring home a win for them.”
Harry Brook (England):
“Disappointed with the result, but happy with the way I batted. Credit to New Zealand—they bowled well early and finished the chase clinically. We’ll look to bounce back stronger in the next one.”
The Spirit of Mount Maunganui
Cricket at Mount Maunganui always carries a touch of magic. The setting sun behind the hill, the crowd’s rhythmic cheers, and the unpredictable turns of the game—it all blends into an unforgettable spectacle.
For New Zealand, this was more than just an ODI win. It was a reminder of their resilience, their depth, and their ability to fight back even after early collapse.
For England, it was a day of “what-ifs”—what if the top order had resisted? What if they’d built around Brook earlier? But that’s the beauty of cricket: small moments make big differences.
Conclusion: A Classic in Every Sense
The first ODI of the Chemist Warehouse Series will be remembered not just for its numbers, but for its narrative—a perfect blend of collapse, counterattack, and comeback.
It was Harry Brook’s fire, Daryl Mitchell’s ice, and New Zealand’s unity that lit up Mount Maunganui.
As the teams now head toward the second ODI, the message is clear: this rivalry is alive, intense, and beautifully unpredictable.
