ENG vs NZ | 2nd Test, Day 2 | The Daryl Michell show steals the thunders from England

England finished Day 2 on 90/1 as they made a steady start after bowling New Zealand out for 553, the highest first innings score for the Blackcaps on English soil. Opener Alex Lees was unbeaten on 34 and with him was Ollie Pope not out for 51 as the umpires called stumps on day 2. 

Earlier, the visitors resumed on 318 for 4 with Daryl Mitchell unbeaten on 81 and Blundell not out for 68 and it didn't take much of time for the Kiwi batter, who was coming off a century in last week's Lord's Test, to reiterate the heroics at Trent Bridge, registering back-to-back tons. 

Tom Blundell, who missed the century at the Home of Cricket last week in the opening Test of the series, also reached the three-figure mark as the overnight duo went on to share the 236-run partnership between them, which is also New Zealand's highest ever stand for the fifth wicket.  

After hours of arduous task and grind, the English side finally drew the first blood on the second day as Tom Blundell departed for 106. Michael Bracewell, who was making his Test debut for New Zealand showed great patience and good intent as he whittled a 91-run stand with good-looking Daryl Mitchell for the 6th wicket before Jimmy Anderson took better off the debutant, dismissing him for the score of 49.  

Bracewell's wicket, after the tea break, tempted a quick lower-order collapse for the Kiwis but Daryl Mitchell, the one-man force was holding the one end turned on the beast mode and started scoring runs at a sharp rate. 

Stuart Broad, who remained wicketless on the 1st day of the game, finally made an impact and wiped out Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee in the same over to claim two wickets at his home.  

And as they say, "One brings two and two might bring three", Matt Henry, in the next over, walked back to the pavilion without opening the account as Jack Leach bowled a flighted delivery outside the off-stump to trap the man at covers. 

Daryl Mitchell, who smashed 23 fours and 6 sixes in his elongated and elegant innings, fell ten runs shy of his maiden double century in Test as he was the last and final wicket to fall for the Kiwis. 

For England, the swing king James Anderson took 3 wickets, while skipper Ben Stokes, Jack Leach, and Stuart Broad bagged two wickets each. Matthew Potts, scalped one wicket, that too of a big Kiwi man Daryl Mitchell. 

England, who came to bat after a long wait made a shaky start as Trent Boult struck early, removing Zak Crawley for the score of 4. However, the hosts didn't let the early wicket haunt them as Alex Lees and Ollie Pope went on to share an unbeaten 84-run partnership for the second wicket. 

The hosts have a mountain to climb on the third day of the play, with their main men yet to come. New Zealand, on the other hand, will look to wrap them up as soon as possible. 

Brief Score on Day 2:  

New Zealand -  553/10 [1st innings]

Daryl Mitchell 190 (318); Tom Blundell 106(198)

James Anderson 3-62 (27); Ben Stokes 2-85 (23) 

England - 90/1 (26 Overs) 

Alex Lees 34 (77) ; Ollie Pope 51 (73) 

Trent Boult 1-18 (7)

England trail by 463 runs.