Harry Brook thinks England 'could have gone harder' after scoring century in vain versus New Zealand in first ODI

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Captain Harry Brook wowed the crowds in New Zealand as he scored a brilliant century for England. But it was not enough to carry his side to victory, with the rest of England’s batters - bar Jamie Overton - not able to make double figures. It means New Zealand take a 1-0 lead at the start of the three-match ODI series, which is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

'What a way to bring up a hundred!' - Brook scores century in first ODI

Video credit: TNT Sports

Harry Brook once again showed what decent form he is in, scoring a brilliant century at Mount Maunganui, but it was not enough for England as New Zealand won the opening ODI by four wickets with 80 balls remaining.

Brook’s century does not tell the full story of the match, though, with a strange-looking scorecard highlighting how well The Black Caps bowled in the first of three ODI matches on a pitch that did offer some assistance.

Brook did not just anchor the England innings with yet another century, his 135 coming from 101 balls before he was caught on the boundary as the last man out. He was almost solely responsible for England having anything to defend at all.

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Only Jamie Overton supported him with 46 off 54 balls, the other nine batters contributing just 25 runs between them - and all of them out in single figures.

England were 2-4, 3-5 and 4-10 at the start of the day and in danger of being routed after Zakary Foulkes ran amok for New Zealand early on.

Jamie Smith, the returning Ben Duckett and Joe Root, and then Jacob Bethell went for a combined six runs to leave England in more than a spot of bother early on.

Captain Brook is finally caught after brilliant century for England

Video credit: TNT Sports

Brook and Overton at least gave the England bowlers something to work with, but 224 never looked likely to cause too many issues for New Zealand to chase, despite Brydon Carse picking up three wickets.

"I felt like I was in good touch," Brook said after the match. "Obviously, we didn't get off to a great start, and I tried to take it upon myself to have a counter-punch. Thankfully, it came off today.

"I've done it a few times, to be honest; it's either a do-or-die moment, and thankfully, I've been on the right side of that a few times and managed to get us to a decent score to try and defend.

"I still think 220 was defendable. We started really nicely with the ball - taking three or four wickets in the Powerplay was an awesome start.

"But it was just that we struggled to take wickets throughout the middle stage of their innings… They bowled really well. They always kept the stumps in play.

"The question is, could we have gone a little bit harder with the bat to put them under more pressure? I probably think so. That's something we can learn from this game and take forward."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

The match will be remembered for player of the match Brook’s effort even in defeat, but it was notable for some other moments as well, including one featuring former Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson.

On his return from injury, Williamson managed to fall for a first-ball duck for the first time in 15 years of ODI cricket, as he was undone by a brilliant delivery from an inspired Carse.

But fortunately for New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell was able to steer them home to a comfortable win, finishing on 78 not out.

The second ODI is on Wednesday, October 29 in Hamilton, before the final match on Saturday, November 1 in Wellington.

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Watch and stream the 2025 Ashes series live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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