Sibley and Crawley boost Test hopes

Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley both hit a century as England closed day one of their tour match with a New Zealand XI on 285-3. With the start of the match delayed by more than three hours, the young batsmen then set about their task, with Crawley retiring on 103 after hitting 13 fours in his 137-ball stay at the crease. Sibley was more circumspect, with seven fours and one six in the 161 deliveries he faced before calling time on his knock when reaching exactly 100. The two-day warm-up clash sees both sides able to use 13 players and is more of a practice match than anything else, with skipper Joe Root finishing the day unbeaten on 41. The only wicket to fall was that of Rory Burns, who went for 23 but is assured of his spot at the top of the order for next week’s opening Test with the Black Caps following his exploits in the summer’s Ashes. Henry Shipley took the wicket of Burns on a truncated day that the tourists got more out of than the hosts with their two centurions. It is likely that Root will declare overnight to give his bowlers a run-out and it may be that the batsmen will have to wait until the final warm-up encounter with New Zealand A on Thursday for more time in the middle. Sibley has been tipped to join Burns at the top of the order next week and the 24-year-old Warwickshire star insists he will not change his methods for international cricket. “I’m very patient. From a young age I’ve been able to bat for long periods of time, so I stick to that,” he told Test Match Special. “I understand my game well and know where my areas are. “Today was a massive positive for me. Hopefully I can build on that and get the call-up.”