FCC XI stun New Zealand in the warm-up game courtesy of a stunning ton from Ben Compton

New Zealand have landed on English soil to play a three-match Test series against England starting June 2 at Lord’s. The visitors began their tour with a warm-up match against First-Class Counties XI at Chelmsford. Tom Latham-led New Zealanders didn’t have a good start to their tour as they lost to the FCC XI by seven wickets.

Ben Compton delivered exceptionally well, scoring his fifth century of the summer in the second innings. FCC XI chased the target of 264 in 88 overs on the final day of the game. Compton got the support from Nick Gubbins who played a match-defining knock of 67 runs in the second innings for FCC XI.

What happened in the match?

Earlier, New Zealanders’ skipper for the tour match, Tom Latham won the toss and elected to bat first at Chelmsford. Batting first, they managed to put a total of 362 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Before the declaration of the innings, Daryl Mitchell, Cam Fletcher and Matt Henry scored half-centuries with individual scores of 58, 50, and 65 respectively.

FCC XI got all-out for 247 in the first innings as the visitors took a lead of 115 runs. New Zealand Test skipper Kane Williamson joined the side to bat in the second innings having joined the squad after being with his wife for the birth of their second child. But that didn’t help the Kiwis at all as they stunningly collapsed with the new ball and at one stage, their score read 19/6. The lower order comprising Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner saved the embarrassment for the World Test Champions as they reached 148 runs in their second innings.

Chasing the target of 264 in the second innings, skipper Dom Sibley and Ben Compton provided a steady and strong start to FCC XI with an opening partnership of 88 runs. Compton scored a match-defining knock of 119 runs before getting bowled by Ajaz Patel. Nick Gubbins, with a knock of 67 runs, finished things off for FCC XI to stun New Zealand in the warm-up game.