It's Bazball on steroids
England made the second earliest declaration in Test cricket history after cutting their first innings short after 59 overs.
In what has been described as a
"new peak for Bazball", Ben Stokes called the last batters off after reaching 325-9 in their opening innings in Mount Maunganui against New Zealand.
Only Pakistan in 1974, at 9-130 against England after 44.5 overs, has ever declared earlier in a Test match.
They went on to lose the game with their opponents needing just 27 runs in the second innings.
https://twitter.com/Yas_Wisden/status/1626115292848955392?s=20
And in typical Stokes style, the fun didn't end there Down Under.
His gamble to get Jimmy Anderson on to bowl under lights in the day-night Test paid off after the fast bowler made an immediate impact.
Henry Nicholls was caught by Zac Crawley from an Anderson ball and Jane Williamson was superbly trapped in front of the stumps.
https://twitter.com/btsportcricket/status/1626130060917854209?s=20
Ollie Robinson also took Tom Latham for one at the start of New Zealand's innings after the opener slogged one into the air.
https://twitter.com/btsportcricket/status/1626114419368292352?s=20
The Kiwi's will go into the second day hoping to claw back ground after a remarkable day of cricket.
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