Shoaib Bashir led the fightback as England bagged five New Zealand wickets in the final session after Kane Williamson hit 93 on day one of the first Test at a packed Hagley Oval.

Williamson, who missed the Kiwis’ recent 3-0 victory in India with a groin injury but replaced player of that series, Will Young, against England, fell seven runs short of what would have been a 33rd Test century as the hosts closed on 319-8 in Christchurch.

New Zealand were well placed on 227-4 in the evening but the dismissal of Williamson – caught at backward point off Brydon Carse (2-57) – triggered a wobble of 3-25, with off-spinner Shoaib Bashir (4-69) removing Tom Blundell (17) and debutant Nathan Smith (3).

Bashir then ended a frustrating 45-run stand between Glenn Phillips (41no) and Matt Henry (18) when the latter holed out at long-on as he added further to his earlier wicket of Rachin Ravindra (34).

Phillips () was dropped on nought as England captain Ben Stokes shelled a sharp chance at mid-off, with the same batter then overturning a caught-behind dismissal off Stokes on nine.

England were not bang at it in the morning and afternoon after electing to bowl on a green-tinged surface but were much-improved after tea as they began their bird for a first Test series win in New Zealand since a 2-1 triumph in 2008, under Michael Vaughan.

The winners of this series will scoop the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, named in tribute to ex-New Zealand captain Martin Crowe and former England batter Graham Thorpe.

The trophy merges bats used by Crowe and Thorpe, who passed away in 2016 and 2024 respectively – Crowe’s bat was the one with which he scored a hundred at Lord’s in 1994, while Thorpe hit back-to-back centuries with his in New Zealand in 1997.

Williamson returns to Test cricket in style

Current New Zealand captain Tom Latham (47) added 58 with Williamson for the second wicket after Gus Atkinson (2-61) had caught Devon Conway (2) off his own bowling in the second over, taking smartly in his follow through to leave the home side 4-1.

Latham edged Carse behind to stand-in wicketkeeper Ollie Pope but Williamson went on to share half-century partnerships with Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell (19), alliances of 68 and 69 respectively.

Ravindra would have been dismissed on 21 on the stroke of lunch had England called for the review, with it later shown that the batter had snicked Stokes through to Pope.

That blunder only cost the tourists 13 runs with Ravindra clothing a Bashir full toss to Zak Crawley at midwicket, before Mitchell top-edged Carse to Harry Brook at deep third early in the final session.

Thursday’s action in Christchurch also saw England debutant Jacob Bethell bowl one over of left-arm spin, with his first ball swept for four by Williamson before he tightened up thereafter.

Bethell will bat at No 3 for England with Pope dropping down to No 6 as he marries batting duties with keeping wicket following the tour-ending fractured thumb suffered by Jordan Cox.

England have called up uncapped Durham wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson, with the 25-year-old due to arrive on Saturday and be an option for the second Test in Wellington next week.

Robinson would likely come in for Bethell but should the debutant impress in Christchurch and Pope continue the struggles that saw him average 11 in Pakistan in October with a top-score of 29, England could have a big decision to make.

England’s Test tour of New Zealand

• First Test: November 28-December 2 (Christchurch)
• Second Test: December 6-10 (Wellington)
• Third Test: December 14-18 (Hamilton)

Jude Bellingham said it was no disgrace to lose to Liverpool but suggested Arne Slot’s side wanted it more following Real Madrid’s 2-0 defeat at Anfield.

Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo extended Liverpool’s 100 per cent record in the Champions League while also ensuring a first win for 15 years against Real Madrid.

Liverpool took the lead in the lead after the break but watched on as Kylian Mbappe had the chance to level the score after Andy Robertson fouled Lucas Vasquez in the box. Madrid’s No 9 saw his penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher before the hosts eventually doubled their lead.

Speaking to TNT after the game, Bellingham said that Liverpool, who take on Manchester City this Sunday – live on Sky Sports – made it difficult for his side to gain a foothold in the game.

Sunday 1st December 3:30pm


Kick off 4:00pm

“They were more up for it than us to be honest,” he said.

“It’s a bad result against the best-performing team in Europe. It’s no disgrace to come here and lose but we are disappointed in the way how we performed.

“From the first minute, they took control of the game. We never really maximised the spells we had in possession. When we got the ball back we tried to force a counter-attack a few too many times.

“We turned it over so much that they managed to keep control. Defensively they kept us in a place where we couldn’t really harm them as much.”

Mbappe’s penalty miss to level the game at 1-0 down, added to an underwhelming display from the 25-year-old that saw him only have two shots and the only one on target was that saved spot-kick. However, Bellingham defended his team-mate and backed him to deliver big moments for Madrid.

“The pressure he holds because of how good he is huge, it’s humungous,” he said.

“The penalty is not the reason why we lost the game. As a collective we weren’t good enough on the night. They performed better than us and it’s as simple as that.

“Kylian can keep his head high. I know for sure he will produce many more moments that are huge for this club.”

Slot awaits Bradley-Konate verdict after double injury worry

Liverpool boss Slot says that the club will await a verdict on Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate after the pair suffered late injuries against Real. Bradley was replaced by Joe Gomez after going down indicating pain in his hamstring. Konate also received treatment after the final whistle.

Asked about their injuries during his post-match press conference Slot said: “I know where they have pain, but how bad or how good it is is difficult to judge so close after the game.

“This is what happens during a season. We missed Trent [Alexander-Arnold] today, we missed [Diogo] Jota today, we missed Alisson today. We didn’t miss Trent because he was on the bench, but he couldn’t play from the start, but Kostas we missed.

“This happens through a season. I am really hoping both of them are available to play [against Manchester City] because we want them all available, but if not someone else has to step up and until now this season everybody that I [have] selected to start has shown up.

“That’s also what is going to happen on Sunday, if they can play but also if they can’t play then other ones will step up.”

Slot: Tonight should be about Kelleher’s importance

Kelleher’s penalty stop against Mbappe ensured his side stayed ahead in the game. The Liverpool goalkeeper has now kept out three of the last four penalties he’s faced for Liverpool in all competitions, excluding shootouts.

His firm hand to keep out Mbappe comes just days after he stopped a penalty against Southampton but conceded the rebound. Asked if his form made it difficult for him to be dropped when Alisson returns from injury, he said:

“I’ve been clear on this in the past. But tonight isn’t about that. It’s a big moment for him. The penalty save was special for him. Let that be the headlines.”

Watch Liverpool take on Manchester City live on Sky Sports this Sunday, kick-off 4pm.