The first Test between New Zealand and England got underway at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on February 16, 2023. Every eye was on how the new look England side under the captaincy of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum plays and whether they continue with their aggressive brand on cricket.

New Zealand was waiting to get back some respect after being obliterated by England in their own backyard and Time Southee won the toss and chose to bowl first. Ben Duckett gave a good start with 84 in 68 balls with 14 fours. But the knock of the innings came from Harry Brook who made 89 in 81 balls with 15 fours and 1 six.

England declared their first innings on 325/9 after playing just 58.2 overs.

During their innings, England batters continued to go after the bowling and scoring runs at a fast pace and one of the best examples of the same was Joe Root hitting a reverse scoop shot to left-arm pacer Neil Wagner just after tea.

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Wagner bowled a fullish delivery at the off-stump and Root just scooped the ball over the slips to the third-man boundary for a four, leaving the crowd stunned.

Check it out here:

However, Wagner had his revenge as Joe Root tried to do an action replay of the same shot, but this time couldn’t get the elevation properly as the ball was bowled wider than the previous one and the ball was gobbled up in gully by a diving Daryl Mitchell.

Here is the video of his dismissal:

New Zealand began their first innings on a poor note by losing Tom Latham for 1 run to Ollie Robinson.