Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley gave another pleasant headache to the England selectors, as the two staked their claim to play in the upcoming Test series by hammering unbeaten hundreds in their maiden tour match against New Zealand XI in Whangarei.

On Tuesday, November 12, Sibley scored 100 and Crawley 103 before both retired, later Joe Root hit an unbeaten 41 as the tourists drew the warm-up match against NZ XI at Cobham Oval in Whangarei.

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After England declared at 376/2, the New Zealand XI managed 285/4 at the close of the two-day match, thanks to Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer’s tight bowling in Whangarei.

Broad managed one for 15 off nine overs, while Archer finished with 2 for 46 off 11 overs and Ben Stokes finished with no wickets in his eight overs.

Noteworthy, England will now play a three-day match against New Zealand A which will start from Friday, 15 November in Whangarei with the first Test beginning in Tauranga on 21 November.

(With AFP Inputs)