Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley hit centuries in England Test warm-up

Sibley, the Warwickshire opener, hit an even 100 from 161 deliveries and Kent youngster Crawley contributed 103 from 137 on day one of the two-day match at Whangarei

England newcomers Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley both made instant impacts on their first senior appearances for their country, with the pair each hitting centuries in a warm-up match against a New Zealand XI.

Sibley, the Warwickshire opener, hit an even 100 from 161 deliveries and Kent youngster Crawley contributed 103 from 137 on day one of the two-day match at Whangarei.

The two men shared in a 154-run second-wicket partnership at Cobham Oval to give England real encouragement ahead of the two-Test series against New Zealand, which begins next week.

While Sibley was largely expected to open the batting with Rory Burns against the Blackcaps, Crawley been included in the squad in a back-up capacity prior to Joe Denly sustaining an ankle ligament injury in practice during the white-ball leg of the trip.

^{Dom Sibley and Joe Root in the middle on Tuesday}

Denly is not playing any part in this warm-up fixture but is expected to return for the three-day first-class game which follows on Friday.

Both Sibley and Crawley retired upon reaching three figures as England reached 265 for 1 on a rain-reduced first day, with Joe Root finishing unbeaten on 41. Burns was the only man out, for 23.

England will bowl all day on Wednesday.

"I don't see myself as a blocker," Sibley said afterwards. "But opening the batting is tough. So you have to face a lot of balls and make sure you get through the new ball. Then you can cash in.

"I like to think I have a few shots in my locker and I know that batting always gets easier at some stage if you stick with it for long enough."

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