Jacob Bethell said that he would have asked to bat up the order on his Test debut had he not received a "surprise" invitation to do so by England against New Zealand. 

Bethell scored an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls after coming in at number three and also hit the winning runs as the tourists posted an eight-wicket win in the first Test in Christchurch.

"I would have asked for it to be honest," Bethell told BBC Sport. 

"I like batting up the order so I was really happy that opportunity arose. I've always wanted to bat in the top four, so three is perfect," added Bethell, who had not battled above number four in his first-class career where he has an average of 25.44 from 30 innings.

The 21-year-old was called up to the England squad as a batting cover, but found himself in the line-up after an injury to wicketkeeper Jordan Cox.

Bethell was dismissed for 10 in his first Test innings, but produced a quick half-century in the second as England chased down the 104-run target set by New Zealand with ease. 

"It's everything I've dreamed of," said Bethell, who hit eight fours and a six during his knock. 

"It lived up to expectations. It was so fun."

But Bethell will have his work cut out to keep his number three spot with Ollie Pope, who moved down the order due to workload management after wicketkeeping duties, being the regular for England in that position. 

"It was my first experience playing in front of packed grass banks, pristine outfield, good pitches and playing against a good team, so it was great," Bethell said. 

"To come out in the second innings and have a chance to walk off with an England win was at the forefront of my mind and luckily I was able to do that."

Born in Barbados, Bethell moved to England at the age of 13 and made his T20 and ODI debuts against Australia in September.  

He has scored three scores of 50 or more in 15 limited-over appearances for England so far, earning him a contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League worth about £245,000.

The second Test of the three-match series will begin in Wellington on Thursday.

Jacob Bethell said that he would have asked to bat up the order on his Test debut had he not received a "surprise" invitation to do so by England against New Zealand. 

Bethell scored an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls after coming in at number three and also hit the winning runs as the tourists posted an eight-wicket win in the first Test in Christchurch.

"I would have asked for it to be honest," Bethell told BBC Sport. 

"I like batting up the order so I was really happy that opportunity arose. I've always wanted to bat in the top four, so three is perfect," added Bethell, who had not battled above number four in his first-class career where he has an average of 25.44 from 30 innings.

The 21-year-old was called up to the England squad as a batting cover, but found himself in the line-up after an injury to wicketkeeper Jordan Cox.

Bethell was dismissed for 10 in his first Test innings, but produced a quick half-century in the second as England chased down the 104-run target set by New Zealand with ease. 

"It's everything I've dreamed of," said Bethell, who hit eight fours and a six during his knock. 

"It lived up to expectations. It was so fun."

But Bethell will have his work cut out to keep his number three spot with Ollie Pope, who moved down the order due to workload management after wicketkeeping duties, being the regular for England in that position. 

"It was my first experience playing in front of packed grass banks, pristine outfield, good pitches and playing against a good team, so it was great," Bethell said. 

"To come out in the second innings and have a chance to walk off with an England win was at the forefront of my mind and luckily I was able to do that."

Born in Barbados, Bethell moved to England at the age of 13 and made his T20 and ODI debuts against Australia in September.  

He has scored three scores of 50 or more in 15 limited-over appearances for England so far, earning him a contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League worth about £245,000.

The second Test of the three-match series will begin in Wellington on Thursday.

England captain Ben Stokes allayed fears over his fitness despite an injury scare on Sunday.

Stokes' side claimed an eight-wicket win over New Zealand in Christchurch, with Brydon Carse taking six wickets in the second innings.

But while Carse starred, becoming the first England seamer since Ryan Sidebottom in 2008 to take 10 wickets in an away Test match, Stokes was forced to abandon a bowling spell midway through his fifth over.

However, the England skipper claimed he was merely managing his body, and he is confident of being fit to feature in the second Test, which starts on Friday in Wellington.

He said: "I've not spent that much time out in the middle for a long time.

"It's been a pretty heavy week this week: a lot of time in the field, bowled 20 overs, and then spent some time out in the middle.

"I hurt my back diving for a ball as well.

"It's more management than anything else: with where we were in the game, it didn't feel necessary to eke out any more balls than I needed to. I think the body is going to be good for this outing, and I'm raring to go for Wellington."

Stokes also had special praise for Carse.

"I've been fortunate enough to grow up with Brydon [Carse] in my Durham days and I've always known his potential and his talent," Stokes added.

"So to see him come into this team and make an impact so early on is amazing. He's an absolute workhorse and he'll keep charging in all day regardless of whether conditions are in his favour or not.

"To see him get his rewards, walking off with six-for and 10 in the game is amazing."

It was a humbling defeat for hosts New Zealand, who were left to rue some sloppy fielding. Captain Tom Latham, though, was not too downcast.

He said: "Isolate the first two innings, that sort of surface, the position we were in, I was happy. 

"We had our opportunities, on another day the catches go to hand and it would've been slightly different. That’s the sport we play.

"Some days it doesn't fall your way. From our point of view, guys aren't meaning to drop them, they are trying. Some days they catch them, other days it drops, that's the game of cricket."

Jacob Bethell dispatched the winning run on debut and Brydon Carse starred with the ball as England wrapped up an eight-wicket win over New Zealand.

Bethell struck an unbeaten 50 to mark his debut in style on Sunday, with England swiftly chasing down a target of 103 to win.

Daryl Mitchell's stubborn 84 had offered some resistance for New Zealand, but the sensational Carse eventually sent him packing, ending a 10th-wicket stand of 45 in the process.

Carse, who was banned for historical betting offences earlier in the year, took three wickets in total on day four and finished with figures of 6-42 in the second innings, taking his maiden five-for in Test cricket.

That paved the way for England's batters to do the rest, and though Zak Crawley (one) fell early, number three Bethell came to the fore.

Ben Duckett (27) was also dismissed, but Bethell and Joe Root (23 not out) guided the tourists to an emphatic win.

Data Debrief: Ten of the best for Carse 

Carse took 10-106 across the match, making him the first bowler for England to take a 10-for in an away Test since Monty Panesar back in 2012.

In fact, no seamer had achieved the feat since Ryan Sidebottom, who also did it against New Zealand, in 2008.

Even more impressive for 29-year-old Carse, he hit the landmark in just three Tests, whereas legends James Anderson and Stuart Broad were never able to across their illustrious England careers.

Harry Brook has hailed Chris Woakes “a dagger to the heart” of New Zealand after he took two decisive wickets in consecutive balls during the hosts’ second innings.

Woakes’ efforts (3-39) with the ball, along with Brook’s 171 total with the bat, left New Zealand 156-6 at the end of day three with a lead of just four runs.

It puts England in a brilliant position to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series in Christchurch as the tourists await the fall of four New Zealand wickets until they are back at the crease to chase the total.

Brook was full of praise for his team-mate’s efforts with the ball.

“What we saw from Woakesy at the back end was unbelievable. With that ball, on that pitch, to get two big wickets back-to-back was a dagger to their heart,” Brook told the press.

“[Kane] Williamson always looks so secure when he’s batting, he’s such a high-class performer. He always looks impossible to get out, so to see the back of him gives everyone a lot of energy and then to get Blundell with the next ball got everybody firing.

“We’re in an amazing position to go and win this game.”

Woakes stopped Williamson (61), who had fallen just short of a century in the first innings (93), before taking Tom Blundell for a duck with his next ball in the 35th over.

“Woakesy is always niggling away at the top of off stump and trying to hunt your front pad. With the swing he gets and the skills he has, he’s so tough to face,” added Brook.

Brook also had a fine spell at the crease, having surpassed 2,000 Test runs on day two.

He became the third Englishman, after Joe Root and Walter Hammond, to pass 150 twice in New Zealand, having scored 183 in Wellington in 2023. His average of 60.05 is second only to Herbert Sutcliffe (60.73) among England batters to play at least 20 Tests.

“I had a lot of luck, didn’t I? I’m just glad I cashed in on the opportunities I was given and made a big score. I really wanted to get a big one so I just kept on going and going. I got quite a bit of luck, but thankfully, I cashed in,” Brook said.

Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse edged England closer to victory in their first Test against New Zealand by taking six wickets on a dominant day three in Christchurch. 

New Zealand are 156-6 at stumps, a lead of just four runs, with Woakes (3-39) and Carse (3-22) following up Harry Brook's outstanding 171 to leave England well on course for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The tourists started the day 319-5, and almost lost a wicket early on when Brook was dropped for the fifth time in his innings, with that missed opportunity punished once again. 

Brook added 39 runs to his overnight century, while Ben Stokes (80) registered his best Test score since the 2023 Ashes before falling to Tim Southee (2-85) in the 100th over.

There were also strong knocks at the end of England's batting order, with Gus Atkinson (48) and Carse (33 not out) taking England to 499, a lead of 151 runs. 

New Zealand started poorly in their second innings when Tom Latham (1) was removed by Woakes in the second over, before Carse took the wickets of Devon Conway (8) and Rachin Ravindra (24). 

But Kane Williamson, backing up his 93 first time around and passing 9,000 runs in Tests, and Daryl Mitchell (31 not out) steadied the hosts with a partnership of 69. 

However, Woakes would deliver two decisive blows in the 35th over, removing Williamson (61) and Tom Blundell (0) in consecutive balls before Carse trapped Glenn Phillips (19) leg before wicket to put England in control. 

Data Debrief: Brilliant Brook inspires England

After surpassing 2,000 Test runs on day two, Brook continued to show why he could become one of England's greatest ever batters. 

He became the third Englishman, after Joe Root and Walter Hammond, to pass 150 twice in New Zealand, having scored 183 in Wellington in 2023, while his average of 60.05 is second only to Herbert Sutcliffe (60.73) among England batters to play at least 20 Tests.

The Yorkshireman now has seven centuries across his first 22 Tests and is the eighth fastest to 2,000 runs in terms of innings (36), with his latest knock putting England firmly in control in Christchurch. 

Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse edged England closer to victory in their first Test against New Zealand by taking six wickets on a dominant day three in Christchurch. 

New Zealand are 156-6 at stumps, a lead of just four runs, with Woakes (3-39) and Carse (3-22) following up Harry Brook's outstanding 171 to leave England well on course for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The tourists started the day 319-5, and almost lost a wicket early on when Brook was dropped for the fifth time in his innings, with that missed opportunity punished once again. 

Brook added 39 runs to his overnight century, while Ben Stokes (80) registered his best Test score since the 2023 Ashes before falling to Tim Southee (2-85) in the 100th over.

There were also strong knocks at the end of England's batting order, with Gus Atkinson (48) and Carse (33 not out) taking England to 499, a lead of 151 runs. 

New Zealand started poorly in their second innings when Tom Latham (1) was removed by Woakes in the second over, before Carse took the wickets of Devon Conway (8) and Rachin Ravindra (24). 

But Kane Williamson, backing up his 93 first time around and passing 9,000 runs in Tests, and Daryl Mitchell (31 not out) steadied the hosts with a partnership of 69. 

However, Woakes would deliver two decisive blows in the 35th over, removing Williamson (61) and Tom Blundell (0) in consecutive balls before Carse trapped Glenn Phillips (19) leg before wicket to put England in control. 

Data Debrief: Brilliant Brook inspires England

After surpassing 2,000 Test runs on day two, Brook continued to show why he could become one of England's greatest ever batters. 

He became the third Englishman, after Joe Root and Walter Hammond, to pass 150 twice in New Zealand, having scored 183 in Wellington in 2023, while his average of 60.05 is second only to Herbert Sutcliffe (60.73) among England batters to play at least 20 Tests.

The Yorkshireman now has seven centuries across his first 22 Tests and is the eighth fastest to 2,000 runs in terms of innings (36), with his latest knock putting England firmly in control in Christchurch. 

An inspired and unbeaten knock of 132 from Harry Brook helped put England in the ascendancy on the second day of the first Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

With New Zealand's first innings having been wrapped up at 348 all out, the tourists had their fair share of luck while at the crease with six dropped catches from the hosts at various points throughout the day.

Despite that, England managed to finish on 319-5 at stumps.

Of those drops, four were for Brook, without whom England would surely be facing a comprehensive defeat.

It had been a salvage job from the 25-year-old, who put on a fifth-wicket partnership of 151 runs with Ollie Pope (77) before the latter was caught brilliantly by a flying Glenn Phillips at gully.

At the nadir of their innings and prior to the aforementioned partnership, England had been 71-4 thanks to some excellent New Zealand bowling, with Jacob Bethell making just 10 on his Test debut.

Following Pope's dismissal, England captain Ben Stokes came in to bat in the city of his birth. He put on an unbroken stand of 97 runs with Brook, making 37 himself and looked closer to his best.

Stokes, though, was one of three who was dropped by New Zealand captain Tom Latham while on 30 runs.

Speaking about the missed opportunities during England's innings, New Zealand's Nathan Smith was not too downhearted.

"We judge ourselves off the chances we create and we created enough out there," he told TNT Sports.

"I think a couple of catches going to hand there, it's a completely different story. But they got a couple of good partnerships and we just need to break them with the new ball tomorrow.

"The bounce is there and when the ball is a bit newer, there is some nice seam movement as well. It's just about trying to control the run rate, which is tough against these guys with the old ball.

"We probably got it a little bit wrong going wide to Brook, but I thought we brought it back nicely at the end there."

Data debrief: Brilliant Brook reaches new heights

Brook's132 brought his away-from-home batting average to 93, which puts him second in the all-time list behind Don Bradman.

The score accrued during his innings also means that he now has over 2,000 Test runs.

Brook has clocked up that total in just 36 innings, putting him eighth on the all-time quickest list to have reached 2,000 runs.

An inspired and unbeaten knock of 132 from Harry Brook helped put England in the ascendancy on the second day of the first Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

With New Zealand's first innings having been wrapped up at 348 all out, the tourists had their fair share of luck while at the crease with six dropped catches from the hosts at various points throughout the day.

Despite that, England managed to finish on 319-5 at stumps.

Of those drops, four were for Brook, without whom England would surely be facing a comprehensive defeat.

It had been a salvage job from the 25-year-old, who put on a fifth-wicket partnership of 151 runs with Ollie Pope (77) before the latter was caught brilliantly by a flying Glenn Phillips at gully.

At the nadir of their innings and prior to the aforementioned partnership, England had been 71-4 thanks to some excellent New Zealand bowling, with Jacob Bethell making just 10 on his Test debut.

Following Pope's dismissal, England captain Ben Stokes came in to bat in the city of his birth. He put on an unbroken stand of 97 runs with Brook, making 37 himself and looked closer to his best.

Stokes, though, was one of three who was dropped by New Zealand captain Tom Latham while on 30 runs.

Speaking about the missed opportunities during England's innings, New Zealand's Nathan Smith was not too downhearted.

"We judge ourselves off the chances we create and we created enough out there," he told TNT Sports.

"I think a couple of catches going to hand there, it's a completely different story. But they got a couple of good partnerships and we just need to break them with the new ball tomorrow.

"The bounce is there and when the ball is a bit newer, there is some nice seam movement as well. It's just about trying to control the run rate, which is tough against these guys with the old ball.

"We probably got it a little bit wrong going wide to Brook, but I thought we brought it back nicely at the end there."

Data debrief: Brilliant Brook reaches new heights

Brook's132 brought his away-from-home batting average to 93, which puts him second in the all-time list behind Don Bradman.

The score accrued during his innings also means that he now has over 2,000 Test runs.

Brook has clocked up that total in just 36 innings, putting him eighth on the all-time quickest list to have reached 2,000 runs.

Shoaib Bashir has admitted he’s “not perfect” despite taking four wickets against New Zealand on the opening day of England’s first Test in Christchurch.

He took 4-69 to limit New Zealand to 319-8 at Hagley Oval. Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, Nathan Smith and Matt Henry were all caught off his deliveries.

The 21-year-old made his Test debut against India in February and has impressed ever since. He has sent down the most deliveries (2,745) of any bowler in Tests this year – over 500 more than the next-busiest bowler in Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya.

Bashir, however, remains keen to improve despite his shining display in New Zealand.

"I wouldn't say I was disappointed but there was a bit of frustration when I was bowling out in Pakistan," Bashir told the Test Match Special podcast.

"I'm still 21, I've still got a lot of learning to do. I'm just enjoying every moment and I'm just so thankful."

Bashir had an economy of 3.45 on the first day, the third-best of the bowling attack, and bowled 20 overs, the most on the squad.

Only Indian bowlers Jasprit Bumrah (49) and Ravichandran Ashwin (46) have more wickets than the 45 that Bashir has claimed this year.

"I knew that if I did come on, I'd have a job to do and thankfully, I controlled the run-rate which was handy," said Bashir.

"I was bowling a touch slower but I was focusing on controlling my line with the wind.

"Because the wind was very strong, I was trying to focus on what I needed to do with my body to get the line I needed to bowl, which was outside off.”

His four-fer on the first day means Bashir is just one wicket away from becoming the only spin bowler to ever claim a five-wicket haul at the Hagley Oval.

But the on-loan Worcestershire bowler remains grounded about his abilities.

"I'm learning on the job and I'm not perfect. Two years ago I didn't have a county. I'm just very, very thankful for what has happened over the last year,” Bashir added.

England spinner Shoaib Bashir took four wickets as the tourists kept New Zealand in check on the first day of the first Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

The tourists won the toss and elected to field on a green surface, but faced a difficult task with an inspired Kane Williamson (93) top-scoring for the hosts as they finished on 319-8.

It was New Zealand who had the better of the play in the opening two sessions of the day, coming out after tea on 227-4.

But Williamson's wicket, caught off Gus Atkinson, triggered a wobble for the Kiwis, which saw three wickets fall for just 25 runs.

Bashir's deliveries then saw Tom Blundell (17) caught in the off-side and Nathan Smith (three) at leg slip. He also ended a 46-run stand between Glenn Phillips (41*) and Matt Henry (18), with the latter caught, as he added to his earlier wicket of Rachin Ravindra (34).

Frustratingly for England, Phillips had initially been dropped by captain Ben Stokes on a duck and also successfully overturned a dismissal.

But this was a day to celebrate for Bashir, who accredited those above him for his level of performance.

"I wasn't expecting to bowl 20-odd overs and take four wickets on day one, but I knew I had a job to do. Stokesy and Baz [head coach Brendon McCullum] back me 100 per cent and that brings the best out in me," he told Sky Sports

"If I bowl a bad ball there's nothing really, Ben just looks at me and smiles. Even that just gives me so much belief, because I know I can still bowl my best ball. All I was thinking about was trying to take a wicket or create an opportunity.

"I'm not perfect, every day I feel I could play better. But I feel I've developed bowling at some of the best in the world."

Data debrief: Bashir scales new heights

Only Indian bowlers Jasprit Bumrah (49) and Ravichandran Ashwin (46) have more wickets than the 45 that Bashir has claimed this year.

Having been elevated above Jack Leach as England's first-choice spinner, he has bowled 2,745 Test deliveries in 2024 – over 500 more than the next-busiest bowler in Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya.

Following his performance on day one in Christchurch, he is just one wicket away from becoming the only spin bowler to ever claim a five-wicket haul at the Hagley Oval.

While Ben Stokes understands the choice to put Jacob Bethell in to bat at number three has raised questions, he has affirmed England's decision-makers know what they are doing.

Bethell is 21 years old and is in line to make his Test debut against New Zealand in Christchurch on Thursday.

A left-hander for Warwickshire, he has never made a century in his senior cricket career and has never batted above number four in his 20 first-class matches.

When asked about the decision to field Bethell higher up the order than most expected, the England captain tried to allay any fears that people may have.

"You can totally understand it, but you've got to be true to yourself when you get given the opportunity to be able to make decisions," he said.

"We've always done what we feel is right for the team. It's gone in our favour quite a lot, so I think we do know what we're doing.

"We're not picking people just to wind people up. We do know what we're doing.

"We do know what we look for, and when you're in a position to make decisions you've got to do it by your standards and your means."

Bethell comes into the Test side having made 15 white-ball appearances, with plenty of excitement around his future.

He was originally due to be the backup batsman in the squad, but following wicketkeeper Jordan Cox's broken thumb, he was thrust into the team.

But Stokes was relaxed about him coming in, explaining that he had full faith in his ability.

"Beth's got the capability to be able to go out there, bat three and hopefully impact the game, like he has done throughout the summer in the white-ball team," he said.

Jacob Bethell is set to bat at number three on his Test debut after replacing Jordan Cox as England open their series against New Zealand in Christchurch on Thursday.

The Warwickshire left-hander was called up after wicketkeeper Cox broke his right thumb in the nets during England’s warm-up game.

As such, England’s usual number three, Ollie Pope, will take the role of wicketkeeper and drop down the batting order to number six.

While Bethell has eight ODI caps and seven T20 caps for England, he was a shock choice for the Test squad, but one Joe Root is excited to see.

"The way his game sets up suits Test cricket. I'm really looking forward to watching him go out there and play. It's a really exciting time for him,” Root told BBC Sport.

"I've known him and his family for a long time. I saw him play when he was 11 or 12 years old and I could tell then he was already a very accomplished player.

“It's been really pleasing seeing him grow up, make his way at Warwickshire, then more recently in the white-ball stuff show everyone what a brilliant player he is.

"This is a great opportunity for him, a blank canvas in a position where he can really put influence on the game. He can just go play, enjoy it, and I expect him to do just that."

Root himself will become the fourth Englishman to reach 150 tests at fourth in the order, while Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will open the batting.

England will hope to overturn poor test form, having lost their last series 2-1 in Pakistan. They have been defeated in three of their previous four Tests.

England XI for first Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir.

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has said he wants to see overseas-based players become eligible for the All Blacks after his side laboured to a 29-11 win over Italy. 

The visitors recorded their 18th straight win against Italy to wrap up their autumn series, but Robertson's side were made to work for the victory in Turin in flanker Sam Cane's final Test for the team, ahead of his switch to play club rugby in Japan. 

Speaking after the game, Robertson said he would ask New Zealand Rugby to follow in the footsteps of world champions South Africa and allow those playing outside domestic competitions to be eligible for the national team. 

"We don't want to be a cycle behind or a couple of years behind," Robertson said. 

"Professional rugby is always evolving. Let's keep an open mind and see what's next. I'll definitely be presenting.

"Using South Africa as an example, they get the opportunity to use a lot of experienced players who are looked after and managed well into their 30s so they've got a great balance.

"And they've got big squads, they can have two really quality 15s."

Sri Lanka wrapped up a 2-0 series win over New Zealand after the third ODI was rained off in Pallekele.

Will Young (56 not out) and Henry Nicholls (46 not out) had the Black Caps trundling along nicely at 112-1 after 21 overs on Tuesday, with Tim Robinson having been dismissed for nine by Mohamed Shiraz (1-23).

But the rain closed in at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, and did not let up.

Eventually, the umpires had to call off play completely, denying New Zealand the chance to restore some pride after their opening two defeats.

Data Debrief: Rain sees the good run roll on

Sri Lanka have lost only one of their last nine ODIs (W6 T1) – an eight-wicket loss against West Indies (26 October 2024).

New Zealand's Young at least was able to celebrate a ninth ODI half-century, while Nicholls fell just short of a 17th 50 in the format.