World Test Championship: Blackcaps suffer embarrassing warm-up loss to Counties XI in England

A Blackcaps batting collapse has seen them fall to an embarrassing defeat to a Counties XI in England.

New Zealand were soundly beaten by seven wickets, after Ben Compton hit a century in reply to the visitors' target of 264.

The Blackcaps were earlier bowled out for just 148, after a shocking battling collapse that saw them tumble to 9/5 at one stage. 

Tailenders Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Kyle Jamieson brought some respectability to the score with valiant batting efforts, but were unable to replicate that effort with the ball.

Counties XI eased to victory, with Compton's 119 supported by Nick Gubbins' 67, as the NZ bowlers toiled on the final day of the warm-up match.

Spinner Ajaz Patel was the only Blackcaps bowler to offer any sort of resistance, picking up 2/55 runs off his 20 overs.

New Zealand have just four days to turn their form around, with the first test of the three-match series against England starting at Lord's on Thursday.

NZ 362/9 dec (Henry 65no, Mitchell 58, Fletcher 50no, Young 46) & 148 (Wagner 36, Jamieson 36, Southee 34) Counties XI 247 (Patel 3/32) & 264/3 (Patel 2/55)

Counties XI win by seven wickets