Wellington [New Zealand], December 6 (ANI): Throughout the second Check in opposition to New Zealand at Wellington, England opener Zak Crawley’s first-over six in opposition to Tim Southee made historical past, as he turned the second participant within the historical past of the game to smash a most within the first over of a Check match.
After being put to bat first by NZ skipper Tom Latham who received the toss, Crawley appeared to attain rapidly. After a thick inside edge into the leg aspect first ball and two runs on the subsequent ball, the England batter didn’t get any runs until the ultimate ball. Crawley made the many of the ultimate supply, hitting it straight again over the bowler’s head for a six at long-off boundary.
Earlier than Crawley, the first-ever participant to hit a six within the first over of a Check was West Indies batting icon Chris Gayle, who took down Bangladesh spinner Sohag Gazi for 2 sixes within the first over of the primary Check of a two-match collection again in 2012, as per Wisden.
The ultimate ball of first over can also be the earliest an England batter has hit a six in males’s Check, with the earlier report owned by Arthur Milton, who in 1959, who cleared the rope off the second ball of the second over. Additionally, former England captain Michael Vaughan smashed a six on second ball of second over in opposition to New Zealand in 2002.
Additionally notably, when Check cricket nonetheless had eight balls per over, Cyril Washbrook smashed a six within the first over throughout fourth innings of a Check in opposition to South Africa again in 1949. Washbrook despatched the seventh ball of the over for a most.
Coming to the match, England was put to bat first by Latham and was diminished to 43/4 and Crawley was dismissed for 17 in 23 balls. A counter-attacking century from Harry Brook (123 in 115 balls, with 11 fours and 5 sixes) and a fantastic half-century from Ollie Pope (66 in 78 balls, with seven fours and a six) took England to 280/10 in 54.4 overs. Brook and Pope put up a 174 run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Nathan Smith (4/86) was the decide of the bowlers for Kiwis, whereas Will O’Rourke additionally took 3/49. Matt Henry additionally acquired two wickets. England is main the three-match collection 1-0. (ANI)
