MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand: Harry Brook’s explosive century proved in vain as New Zealand defeated England by four wickets in the opening one-day international at Bay Oval on Sunday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Asked to bat first in bowler-friendly conditions, England were skittled out for 223 in 35.2 overs despite a magnificent 135 off 101 balls from captain Harry Brook.
His innings, featuring 11 sixes and nine fours, accounted for more than 60 percent of England’s total, with Jamie Overton (46) the only other player to reach double figures.
England’s top order crumbled under sustained pressure from New Zealand’s seamers. Zak Foulkes (4-41) and Matt Henry (2-53) ripped through the batting line-up, reducing the tourists to 56-6 inside 12 overs.
Jamie Smith was bowled by Henry with the first ball of the match, before Foulkes dismissed Ben Duckett and Joe Root in quick succession.
Brook launched a counterattack, reaching his fifty off 36 balls and later raising his century with three consecutive sixes.
He shared an 87-run seventh-wicket stand with Overton to drag England back into contention before being caught off Mitchell Santner (1-22) attempting another big hit.
England strike early but let chances slip
In reply, New Zealand overcame early jitters to chase down the target with 80 balls to spare, finishing on 224-6 in 36.4 overs.
Starting the Chemist Warehouse ODI series with a WIN in Tauranga 👌
Full scorecard at https://t.co/N6jpmeRPFE#NZvENG 📸 @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/xkKOR1hZNK
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 26, 2025
Brydon Carse (3-45) gave England hope by removing Will Young and Kane Williamson — the latter for a first-ball duck on his return to ODI cricket — as the hosts stumbled to 24-3.
However, Daryl Mitchell (78 not out off 91 balls) and Michael Bracewell (51 off 51) steadied the innings with a crucial 92-run fifth-wicket partnership.
Both batsmen benefited from England’s poor fielding, with Root dropping Bracewell on two and Luke Wood spilling Mitchell on 33.
Bracewell’s run out in the 27th over briefly revived England’s chances, but Mitchell guided the hosts home alongside Santner, who added a brisk 27.
The New Zealand captain was also dropped by Carse at deep fine leg before sealing victory with a boundary off Adil Rashid.
Captains reflect on missed chances
“It was tough work in the end, but the way we started off with wickets in the powerplay was great,” Santner said. “We lost a few more wickets than we would have liked, but Daryl and Michael’s partnership was massive for us.”
Brook, named Player of the Match despite the defeat, admitted England’s batting lacked intent. “We didn’t get off to a great start and I tried to take it upon myself to counterpunch,” he said.
“We started nicely with the ball but struggled to take wickets in the middle overs. Maybe we could have gone harder with the bat — that’s something to learn from.”
The victory gives New Zealand early control of the series after losing the preceding T20 contests 1-0. The second ODI will be played in Hamilton on Wednesday, followed by the final match in Wellington on Saturday.
Score Summary:
England 223 all out (35.2 overs): Brook 135, Overton 46; Foulkes 4-41, Duffy 3-55, Henry 2-53
New Zealand 224-6 (36.4 overs): Mitchell 78*, Bracewell 51, Santner 27; Carse 3-45, Rashid 1-69
New Zealand won by four wickets and lead the series 1-0.
