Brook out for 171 as England leads New Zealand in 1st test

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Harry Brook was dismissed for 171 after leading England to a first innings lead before lunch Saturday on the third day of the first cricket test against New Zealand.

His departure shortly before the drinks break ended a 159-run partnership with Ben Stokes.

At lunch, Stokes was 78 not out, Byrdon Carse was five and England was 459-8, leading New Zealand by 111 runs.

Brook resumed his innings Saturday at 132 with England 319-5 in reply to New Zealand's 348. His century partnership with Stokes came from 135 balls and he passed 150 for the fourth time in his test career in 193 balls.

Stokes who was 37 when play resumed reached his 35th half century from 105 balls, comparatively slowly as England scored 140 runs at more than six per over in the morning session.

England passed New Zealand's total with five wickets down after 6.4 overs or 30 minutes of play on day three.

Brook was helped again Saturday by New Zealand's poor catching. He was dropped for the fifth time in his innings, by Glenn Phillips at gully from the bowling of Will O'Rourke, when he was 132.

Brook was dropped four times on the second day: on 18 by Phillips in the gully, on 41 by Tom Latham at first slip, on 70 by Devon Conway in the deep and on 112 by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell off Matt Henry.

He was finally out, caught by Blundell from the bowling of Matt Henry, in the sixth over of the second new ball when England was 381-6. Brooks had come to the crease when England was 45-3 before lunch on day two.

He turned around England's innings in a 151-run partnership with Ollie Pope (77) and led his team into a dominant position with Stokes.

England also lost Chris Woakes (1) before lunch, caught by Latham at second slip off Tim Southee, and Gus Atkinson who blasted 48 from 35 balls before being caught by Phillips off Nathan Smith.

Atkinson hit four fours and two sixes in a lively innings and 63-run partnership with Stokes.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

England's Ben Stokes bats during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

England's Ben Stokes bats during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

England's Ben Stokes dives to to make his ground during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Chris Symes/Photosport via AP)

England's Harry Brook reacts after scoring a 150 runs during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

England's Harry Brook hits a six during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

England's Harry Brook, right, and teammate Ben Stokes run between the wickets during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.(John Davidson/Photosport via AP)

England's Harry Brook bats during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.(John Davidson/Photosport via AP)

England's Harry Brook reacts as he leaves the field after he was dismissed for 171 runs during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.(John Davidson/Photosport via AP)

England's Harry Brook gestures to the crowd as he leaves the field after he was dismissed for a 171 runs during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

England's Ben Stokes bats during play on the third day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.(John Davidson/Photosport via AP)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen’s latest kneel-down had nothing to do with football.

The Buffalo Bills quarterback and actor Hailee Steinfeld posted a photo to their Instagram followers on Friday — 20.3 million for Steinfeld and a mere 1.3 million for Allen — of Allen on one knee proposing marriage. The picture was taken on a grassy ridge overlooking water, with the couple surrounded by candles and framed by a large arch covered in flowers.

The NFL reposted the picture on X to congratulate the pair on their engagement, with a message ending with a ring and heart emoji.

The setting was likely somewhere on the California coastline, where Allen lives in the offseason. And the proposal likely occurred sometime last week, when the Bills had a bye.

Allen didn’t reveal the engagement during his weekly news conference on Wednesday as the AFC East-leading Bills (9-2) prepare to host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. But he did smile widely when asked how he enjoyed his bye week.

“Fantastic. It was great. Got some sun. Hung out with family. It was fantastic,” he said.

Allen and Steinfeld were first linked in the spring of 2023, when they were photographed dining together in New York City. Months later, Allen acknowledged the two were dating, but asked The Associated Press not to mention Steinfeld by name in a bid to maintain a semblance of privacy.

Steinfeld has since begun attending Bills home games, and the couple hosted a Halloween party this fall.

The 27-year-old Steinfeld is from Los Angeles and began her acting career at age 10. She earned an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress for her role as Mattie Ross in the Coen brothers’ 2010 remake of “True Grit.” She also received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the 2016 high school dramedy “The Edge of Seventeen.” Her other credits include “Bumblebee,” “Dickinson” and Marvel's “Hawkeye,” along with voice roles in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and its sequel.

Steinfeld branched out into pop music after performing in 2015's “Pitch Perfect 2.” She has released numerous singles and two EPs, including “Half Written Story” in 2020.

The 28-year-old Allen has become one of the NFL's best quarterbacks and set many of Buffalo’s single-season and career passing and scoring records since being selected in the first round of the 2018 draft out of Wyoming.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 30-21. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)