Harry Brook's stunning 135 went in vain as New Zealand beat England by four wickets in the ODI series opener here at Bay Oval on Sunday.

Batting first, England suffered a horrid top-order batting collapse as they were reeling 5 for 3, which soon became 10 for 4 and 56 for 6, but Brook's outrageous knock of 135 off 101 lifted the visitors to a respectable total of 223-10 in 35.2 overs.

Chasing 224, New Zealand were in real danger at 66-4, with Brydon Carse claiming three wickets in a new-ball spell. But, Michael Bracewell and Daryl Mitchell turned the tide in a fifth-wicket stand of 92. Bracewell went on to make 51 and Mitchell 78 not out as the hosts chased down the target with 13.2 overs to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

After putting to bat first, England had a ho

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