England Cricket Summer has started with a bang for the team as they have won the first Test against New Zealand courtesy a great century from Joe Root and great performances from old horses James Anderson, Stuart Broad, young gun Mathew Potts in bowling department. Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell denied a meek submission after first innings collapse in the second innings with Mitchell falling shortly after scoring his century.
In the second Test, England bowlers have been facing more resistance from New Zealand batsmen. Kane Williamson has been injured and Tom Latham got the captaincy. England won the toss and elected to field, hoping for a repeat of first Test first innings.
But Tom Latham (26), Will Young (47), Devon Conway (46), Henry Nicholls (30) showed much better resistance before again Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell came together to form a huge partnership.
Daryl Mitchell scored back-to-back centuries for the first time in his career. He is unbeaten with 128 not out, by Lunch on Day 2, the time we have written this news article.
Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell have put up 236 runs partnership for 5th wicket. Both of them complimented each other well and looked set for completing double centuries each.
Blundell completed his century on second day and raised his bat with elation after scoring his 3rd hundred in tests and he even crossed 1000 runs during the course of the innings.
Among English bowlers, James Anderson has been the pick of the bowlers. He removed Devon Conway and Tom Latham. He just gave away 54 runs in 22 overs he bowled. Broad remained wicketless but has been very unlucky. Potts couldn’t make an impact.
After completing his century just before Lunch Tom Blundell fell for a miscued shot to Jake Leach. He hit 106 runs. By Lunch on Day 2, NZ are on 412/5. Mitchell and Michael Bracewell are batting at the crease. England bowlers would hope to restrict NZ under 500. Ben Stokes took 2 wickets and would hope to do some magic with reverse swing later in the day.