Mitchell's calm earns easy win after Brook brings chaos

A chaotically entertaining game characterised by batting that was either sensational or - more frequently - shambolic was settled by Daryl Mitchell’s ability to find serenity amid the calamity.

- Simon Burnton

Mitchell’s sober 78 not out, assisted by Michael Bracewell (51), took a side floundering at 24 for three in pursuit of a superficially straightforward target and set them on the path to victory, wrapped up by four wickets and with 13.2 overs to spare.

But if England were eclipsed it was their captain, Harry Brook, who shone brightest in compiling a century of phenomenal skill and judgment. His knock of 135 could not save his side from defeat, but it did rescue them from humiliation.

It was remarkable there was even a brief moment when New Zealand were forced to ponder the possibility of losing, given the start they made to the game. But this was not a day to be a top-order batter, with only one member of either side’s top three scoring more than five runs - and England’s opening trio failing to reach that number between them.

The tourists began their innings with three batters who had arrived in the country just a few days previously, while the team were in Auckland for the washed-out final fixture of the T20 series. Perhaps they have found jet lag hard to shake off, because they batted like men blighted by bleary eyes and persistent brain fog.