BROAD SETS TONE FOR ENGLAND’S BOWLERS

Stuart Broad set the tone for an impressive England bowling performance as they kicked off their quest for a series sweep over New Zealand, but an error of judgment proved costly on day one at Headingley.

Just four months after Yorkshire’s right to host international cricket was restored, with the removal of sanctions imposed at the height of the racism scandal, the venue saw a gripping start to the LV= Insurance Third Test as New Zealand were held to 225 for five.

Conditions looked fair for batting, but Broad kept a week of celebrations going strong by striking before a run had been added and followed with the key scalp of Kane Williamson before lunch.

A day after announcing he and fiancee Mollie King are expecting their first child and a day before his 36th birthday, this was Broad taking care of business as usual as he led the attack in James Anderson’s absence.

A wicket apiece for Jack Leach and debutant Jamie Overton, the latter opening his international account by wrecking Devon Conway’s stumps, kept England ahead of the game before they spurned a golden chance to dismiss bogeyman Daryl Mitchell cheaply.

He had just eight when Matthew Potts rapped him in front of middle and leg with a full, swinging delivery, but neither umpire Marais Erasmus nor skipper Ben Stokes were convinced by his loud appeal.

Mitchell’s reprieve was confirmed when Stokes allowed the DRS counter to hit zero without signalling, and a player who is fresh off back-to-back centuries cashed in to reach 78 not out.

A huge stroke of luck allowed Leach to grab a second wicket in freak circumstances – Henry Nicholls caught via deflection after smashing a drive into the middle of Mitchell’s bat at the non-striker’s end – but the latter’s unbeaten stand of 102 with Tom Blundell – their third three-figure effort together in as many games – left things even at stumps.

Overton savoured his wicket on his Test debut, saying: “It’s been a good day.”