NZ vs ENG, 1st Test: New Zealand spills six catches on Day 2 as Harry Brook hits to lift England out of trouble | Cricket News

New Zealand played a perfect host as they dropped six catches, which helped England recover from 45 for 3 to post 319 for 5 at the stumps on Day 2 of the first Test in Chrchurch.
Out of six catches four were off centurion Harry Brook, who remained unbeaten on 132. Brook was on 18, 41, 70 and 106, when he was given the reprieve.
England are only 29 runs behind New Zealand whose first innings ended earlier in the day at 348. Captain ben Stokes, who also got a lifeline was batting on 37 with Brook.
Harry Brook, who posted his seventh Test century and shared a 151-run fifth-wicket partnership with Ollie Pope and steadied England ship.

The Chrchurch crowd rises to Harry Brook.
A SEVENTH Test match century! 💯 pic.twitter.com/i6bs4ok6eO
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 29, 2024
“We judge ourselves the chances we create and we created enough out there. A couple of catches go to hand and it’s a completely different story,” Nathan Smith said after the days play.
“They got a couple of good partnerships there and we need to break it with the new ball tomorrow.”
“It’s just about trying to control the run-rate which is tough against these guys.” England scored throughout the day at more than four runs per over.
Flying Phillips
While New Zealand’s catching had been poor, it was redeemed in the 53rd over the brilliant catch Phillips took at gully to dismiss Pope.

Glenn Phillips adds another unbelievable catch to his career resume! The 151-run Brook-Pope (77) partnership is broken. Watch LIVE in NZ on TVNZ DUKE and TVNZ+ #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/6qmSCdpa8u
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 29, 2024
Tim Southee tempted Pope with a ball wide of off stump and the batter went at it with full force. It flew wide of Phillips who dived full length and hung suspended above the ground as he clutched the ball in his right hand.