Crowned by a six, which landed in a spectator’s pint glass, Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 81 helped New Zealand to 4-318 on the opening day of the second Test against England.
Mitchell put on an unbroken stand of 149 with Tom Blundell (67) to blunt England’s attack at Trent Bridge on Friday, just as the hosts looked to be getting on top after putting New Zealand into bat.
While Blundell led a charmed life – he was dropped twice by Joe Root at first slip – Mitchell was virtually impenetrable as he built on his century scored in a lost cause in the first Test at Lord’s last week.
The highlight of a 147-ball knock that featured nine fours and two sixes was the mighty blow he delivered off spinner Jack Leach, which flew over the ropes and landed with a splash in a female spectator’s beer glass.
It drew cheers from the crowd but England’s players weren’t smiling.
Having reduced New Zealand to 4-169, England’s seamers appeared to have justified captain Ben Stokes’ decision to field first.
Henry Nicholls (30) and Devon Conway (46) departed in the space of three overs midway through the second session to catches behind off Ben Stokes and Jimmy Anderson, respectively.
The same bowlers had removed openers Tom Latham – the stand-in captain – and Will Young off successive balls after New Zealand’s reached 84 without loss.
Young (47) edged Stokes to Zak Crawley at second slip and Anderson enticed a mis-hit pull shot from Latham that sailed into the hands of Matthew Potts at midwicket for 26.
Nicholls and Conway added 77 before Nicholls – dropped on 16 by Crawley in the slips – edged Stokes to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.
Foakes had another simple catch to remove Conway following an inside edge off Anderson, but Root’s catching left much to be desired.
Blundell should have departed for a duck, only for Root to put down a catch at first slip off Stokes. Blundell was on 47 when he swiped at Leach and Root put down a much tougher chance as he dived to his right.
With about 20 minutes left in the day, Stuart Broad – having no luck on his home ground in Nottingham – roared in anger after Blundell sent an edge between Crawley at second slip and Jonny Bairstow at third slip.
“We would have taken that (at the start of the day),” Conway said of New Zealand’s total.
“We were quite keen to bowl first but after losing the toss, putting on 300 was quite a good effort.
“The pitch didn’t do heaps. It was quite a nice surface. It played a lot better than it looked.”
Blundell will look to reach three figures after getting out for 96 in the second innings at Lord’s, where England won by five wickets.
The New Zealanders lost Kane Williamson, their captain, after he tested positive for coronavirus late Thursday and was forced to isolate.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Looks like this test is headed for a high scoring bore fest. Great opportunity for average building.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Eng selectors get their reward for keeping 'faith' on Pope.
Lara
Guest
Life without Kane is possible, especially with these two at the moment.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Nephew of former NZ players John and Brendan, and cousin of Doug.
Mark
Roar Rookie
Great kiwi name!
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Those two are really making a name for themselves. Great to see
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
With Fri being a holiday here in Bangladesh I watched the last two sessions. Missed the first session sleeping; the match started 4 pm BST. While taking nothing away from NZ, the Eng slip catching was poor; I mean really really poor. That's very harsh on the bowlers, specially Broad. Of course I am not complaining, my fantasy game punts Mitchell and Blundell already paying off nicely, expecting about 6/7 caught behinds for Blundell off Southee and Jamieson.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Another Bracewell (Michael) is on debut and will come in next.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Tail needs to wag and hopefully we can push on to reach 500ish. Bat big boys.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Yeah he did. His dad John coached the Western Force.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Yep Langer was his skipper in grade cricket if I’m not wrong. Was teammates with Stoinis and Marcus Harris
I understand Mitchell spend a few years in WA as a youngster playing cricket while his Dad coached Rugby. I think it shows in his back foot play. Very good at the horizontal strokes.