Stokes eager to light up the night with more fireworks as hosts reel

SINCE October, England have played seven T20Is in Pakistan, won the T20 World Cup in Australia, played three anonymous ODIS against Australia, returned to Pakistan for an historic Test series, played three more ODIs in South Africa before finally touching down in New Zealand for a two-match Test series that starts overnight.

- Cameron Ponsonby

In all, it is the sixth leg of a seven-stop, Covid catch-up winter in which England have shed themselves of pressure and, instead, prioritised pleasure. We are here to entertain, they keep telling us. And keep entertaining us, they do.

"I've always said it's bigger than the result for us," captain Ben Stokes said from a sun-soaked Bay Oval, scarcely recognisable from 48 hours previously when Cyclone Gabrielle was brewing.

The storm, which has killed four people across New Zealand, passed Mount Maunganui largely without issue, although the volatility of the forecast means it is impossible to guarantee a full five days' play.