Youngster’s 100 against England

Finn Allen demonstrated his talent hitting an unbeaten century for the New Zealand XI against a full-strength England test attack in Whangarei yesterday.

The 20-year old Aucklander, who was a member of New Zealand’s under-19 World Cup squad on home soil in 2018, retired on 104 not out, as the twoday tour match ended in a draw after rain-disrupted opening day on Tuesday.

Facing England standouts Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, and Chris Woakes, Allen hit 10 fours and two sixes in his 130-ball innings.

Allen has played just eight first-class matches for Auckland, combined with six List A games and a domestic T20, but looks set for increased opportunities in the future.

The New Zealand XI, made up of fringe domestic performers, put up a competitive effort with the bat after England declared at 376-2, having started the day 285-1. The New Zealand XI finished the day at a respectable 285-4 from 75 overs.

Wellington opener Jakob Bhula showed his quality too, contributing 61 at the top of the order before he was bowled by Sam Curran.

Bhula and Allen added 117 for the third wicket frustrating the England attack.

Northern Districts’ Sandeep Patel was also in the runs, ending unbeaten on 56 from 86 balls.

Prospective England test debutants Dom Sibley and Zac Crawley each scored day one hundreds before retiring. Opener Sibley hit 100 retired off 161 balls and Crawley, batting No 3, cracked 14 boundaries before retiring for 103 off 137 deliveries.

Test skipper Joe Root spent just over an hour compiling 41 before he retired, too, giving Kiwi-born allrounder Stokes a chance to flex the arms in his first match of the tour.

The left-hander hit 30 not out off 20 balls before Root declared. Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler also chimed in with an unbeaten 38 off 68.