New Zealand were in command at stumps on Day 2 of the first Test match against England, in Lord's. They lead by 227 runs with six second-innings wickets in hand. Having added 180 for the unbroken fifth wicket, Daryl Mitchell (97*) and Tom Blundell (90*) are still at the crease. With Colin de Grandhomme and Kyle Jamieson to follow, they look on course to set England a target in excess of 300. It shall not be easy for the hosts, who have suffered several batting collapses over the past year.
New Zealand took 41 balls to take the last three wickets in England's first innings. Stuart Broad missed a hoick against Tim Southee and lost his leg stump, while Ben Foakes edged to third slip, both off Tim Southee (4-55). England still trailed by two runs at this point, but James Anderson and debutant Matt Parkinson – who travelled three hundred kilometres as Jack Leach's concussion substitute – added 11 for the last wicket to put England into the lead. Trent Boult (3-20) wrapped things up by having Parkinson caught at slip.
Anderson then hit back, having Will Young caught behind in the third over. Kane Williamson batted longer than in the first innings before Matthew Potts bowled a ball that that pitched outside off, held its line, took the edge, and went to third slip. It was the second time Potts claimed Williamson in his debut Test match. His fantastic outing continued, when he had Tom Latham caught behind soon afterwards.
Devon Conway, unable to get the ball away for runs, then edged an attempted pull off Broad, leaving New Zealand reeling at 56/4. The lead was a mere 47 at this point. But Mitchell and Blundell dug in, let the England fast bowlers tire out, became the first two men to score fifties in the Test match, and accelerated as the day went on. Their unbroken stand of 180 is also the first in the Test in excess of 60.
Parkinson, the first spinner to bowl in the match, did not find characteristic turn on his hurried second-day debut, and generally did not impress. If New Zealand manage to bat through the first session, however, he may have to bowl long spells, as will Ajaz Patel in the fourth innings.
Brief scores
New Zealand 132 (Colin de Grandhomme 42*; Matthew Potts 4-13, James Anderson 4-66) and 236/4 (Daryl Mitchell 97*; Matthew Potts 2-50) lead England 141 (Zak Crawley 43; Tim Southee 4-55) by 227 runs.