Batter Zak Crawley set a remarkable test record by smashing a six in the opening over during the second test of the England tour of New Zealand 2024.
After New Zealand decided to bowl first, Zak Crawley aimed for a quick start and stuck a six. Facing Tim Southee in the first over, he initially got runs through a thick inside edge towards the leg side off the first delivery.
Following two runs off the subsequent delivery, Crawley waited for his next scoring chance on Southee’s final delivery. He struck it powerfully straight back over the bowler, managing sufficient height to clear the long-off boundary for six.
Only Chris Gayle has completed the same feat 🚀 pic.twitter.com/0RD8kqIt4K
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 5, 2024
England amassed 10 runs from the over and also Crawley registered his name in the book of record books with a six off the last delivery.
The 26 year old become the only second batter in Test cricket to hit a six in the first over of the match. Also, it is only the third time in the history of Test cricket in the opening over of the red ball cricket.
Chris Gayle was the first batter to do so when he hit Sohag Gazi of Bangladesh for two sixes in 2012. Gayle smashed sixes against spinner back then became the first batter to hit a pacer for two sixes in the first over of the match.
The sixth ball of the first over is the earliest any England batter has hit a six in the men’s Test. The previous earliest was by Arthur Milton in 1959 who cleared the fence on the second ball of the second over.
Although Crawley set a Test record, his stay at the crease was cut short early by Matt Henry who dismissed for 17 runs. England were bundled out for 280 runs in the first innings with Harry Brook smashing 123 runs while Ollie Pope played a crucail knock of 66 runs.
England might have an opportunity to secure their first test series win in New Zealand since 2008.
