England star Broad brings NightHawk "chaos" after comical New Zealand mix-up

17 February 2023 , 11:02

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There was a comical mix-up in the field by New Zealand after England deployed Stuart Broad as the NightHawk (Image: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

England fans have finally been afforded their first look at Stuart Broad as the NightHawk, 11 Tests into the new dawn under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.

After England bowled the hosts out for 306, they faced 16 overs under lights with New Zealand's seamers brandishing a new pink ball. England, of course, attacked and after openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett shared a promising 52-run partnership, they both fell in quick succession.

Crawley's dismissal saw Broad sent out at number four in his first deployment as NightHawk, a role dreamt up by Stokes and McCullum last summer - and first used in Pakistan when Rehan Ahmed filled the role while Broad was on paternity leave.

It took just two balls for Broad to start causing "chaos", with Stokes explaining in July that England want the NightHawk to "go out with half an hour left to play to try to literally slog". It is a role Broad has fully embraced, updating his Instagram bio to read "Official NightHawk for @englandcricket".

After walking out to bat in the 14th over of England's second innings, Broad immediately advanced down the wicket to debutant Scott Kuggeleijn. Having failed to make contact with his first ball, Broad advanced again and top-edged a short ball as he attempted to swing Kuggeleijn away to the boundary.

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Stuart Broad got his first outing as England's NightHawk (Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

However, the ball went straight up in the air and it looked as though Broad would depart for a two-ball duck. But with fielders circling, both Kuggeleijn and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell ended up waiting for the other to go for the catch and simply watched on as the ball landed safely in a comical mix-up by New Zealand.

Those in the England dressing room could not quite believe what had happened, with Stokes putting his hands on his head and Will Jacks laughing in disbelief. Speaking on BT Sport, former England captain Sir Alastair Cook said: "We have heard so much about the NightHawk and finally saw it in action. Chaos certainly ensued."

And Broad took to social media after the close of play, writing: "#NightHawk deployed at #4 in the dark. I do answer to MorningHawk in normal Test Match hours but AfternoonHawk doesn't sound right, so I'll respond to just Hawk until the light drops again.

"The fact that #NightHawk is trending about sums up how much fun we're having as an England team right now & how our supporters are smiling along with us!"

Matthew Cooper