Mitchell, Blundell in big stand
London, June 3: Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell were both eyeing coveted hundreds at Lord’s after batting New Zealand into a commanding position on Friday’s second day of the first Test against England.
In a match where bowlers on both sides had previously been on top, the pair’s unbroken partnership of 180 took the World Test champions to 236 for 4 in their second innings at stumps, a lead of 227, after they had come together with New Zealand in trouble at 56 for 4.
Mitchell was 97 not out and Blundell 90 not out — the first two fifties of the match — with the duo now having equalled New Zealand’s record fifth-wicket stand against England, set by Martin Crowe and Shane Thomson at Lord’s in 1994.
They compiled the first century partnership of this match in classic Test style, displaying a sound defence while punishing
anything loose or too full.
Mitchell finished Friday’s play in style, driving the last ball of the day, from England debutant Matthew Potts,
for four to move to within three runs of a second hundred in 10 career Tests following his unbeaten 102 against Pakistan at Christchurch last year. His alliance with wicketkeeper Blundell highlighted how a good pitch was blameless for the fact 17 wickets had fallen on Thursday.
POTTS AT THE DOUBLE
Earlier, Potts — who enjoyed a superb firstinnings return of four for 13 — struck again with a pre-lunch burst Friday of 2 for 11 in four overs. For the second time in the match, the 23year-old dismissed New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. Potts, who had needed just five balls on Thursday to claim the scalp of the star batsman as his first Test wicket, produced a fine lifting delivery that Williamson could only edge to third slip Jonny Bairstow.
Brief scores: New Zealand
132 & 236 for 4 in 43 overs (Daryl Mitchell batting 97, Tom Blundell batting 90, Matthew Potts 2/50) vs England 141 in 42.5 overs (Zak Crawley 43, Tim Southee 4/55, Trent Boult
3/21).