Chasing 201 against the clock in the tour match against the New Zealand Prime Minister’s XI, England went for the runs even after Yahya Zeb (2-24) and Angus Olliver (2-39) reduced them to 40-4. Captain Ben Stokes blasted a 39-ball 54 with five fours and two sixes, adding 111 in 57 balls with former captain Joe Root, before falling to Scott Johnston (2-65).
Root continued with the onslaught as the lower middle-order fell around him against Johnston and Jess Tashkoff (2-43). He eventually hit eight fours and three sixes, and was unbeaten on a 54-ball 82 as England finished on 196-9, five short of the target, after 22 overs of batting.
England had bowled out the hosts for 136 after Stokes had won the toss and opted to field in this two-day, 11-to-bat, 11-to-field, 14-a-side match at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown. Chris Woakes (3-25), Gus Atkinson (3-15), and Brydon Carse (4-48) shared the wickets as Snehith Reddy top-scored with 60 from No.6.
England responded with 249, getting bowled out at stumps on the first day. Zak Crawley smashed 94 in 90 balls and Ollie Pope hit 42 in 44 while Harjot Johal returned 3-25.
The hosts now made a rapid 313-5 at 4.60 an over before Troy Johnson declared the innings. Johnson himself made 80, while Hunter Kindley and Tashkoff got 56 apiece. Olly Stone claimed 3-53.
Back in an England shirt again 😍@Jimmy9 helping out the boys in the warm-up game 💪 pic.twitter.com/aUdYCZf21x
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 23, 2024
More or less every England batter got some practice, while their bowlers had their spells as well. However, a big blow came when Jordan Cox, set to make his Test debut, copped an injury and was ruled out of the three-match series with a fractured right thumb. The ECB are yet to name his replacement. Pope kept wicket in the tour game, while James Anderson stepped in as substitute fielder.
Watch the thrilling finish of the warmup game here:
Shoaib Bashir needs SIX to win...
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 24, 2024
A valiant effort, but we fall just short in our run chase.
Congratulations, Prime Minister's XI 🤝 pic.twitter.com/y9B3n1b5eF
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