ENG vs NZ | Day 1 | Mitchell and Blundell's brilliance take Kiwis to a commanding position

Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell were magnificent for the reigning World Test Champions as New Zealand finished Day 1 of the ongoing second Test at 318/4 against England at Nottingham. 

The Black Caps are playing without their regular skipper Kane Williamson, who tested positive for Covid-19 on the eve of the match. However, they got a pleasing start as the visitors didn't repeat the mistakes of the Lord's Test. 

England earlier won the toss and opted to bat first as Nottingham is known for its bowling-friendly conditions, especially in the early phases. However, it didn't function like its old self as English seamers failed to keep the Kiwis on the backfoot. 

The stand-in captain Tom Latham (26) and opener Will Young (47) showed enormous amounts of patience and determination as they batted in the most extreme conditions and forged an 84-run stand to provide New Zealand with the much-needed start.  

Skipper Ben Stokes drew the first blood for England as Will Young, who was looking in a good touch departed for 47. He was followed by his fellow opening partner Tom Latham on successive deliveries, bowled by the genius of swing and seam James Anderson.  

The middle-order comprising Devon Conway (46) and Henry Nicholls capitalised on the excellent start and stitched a 77-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. However, it was once again thwarted by the English skipper, who dismissed the left-handed batter for the score of 30. 

Just after 4 overs, Nicholls was joined by his other partner Devon Conway, who fell 4 runs short of his half-century. James Anderson bowled a good delivery on the off-stump as Conway got the inside edge and wicket-keeper Foakes made no mistakes there. 

Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell, the only duo which surpassed the 90-run mark in the Lord's Test, started from where they left. While Daryl Mitchell scored 81* off 147, Tom Blundell reached 67* off 136 at the end of the day's play. 

Englishmen Ben Stokes and James Anderson did the bulk of hard work by dismissing the visitors' top order but have failed to keep the middle order quiet. The duo finished the day with two wickets each, while their other bowlers remained wicketless. 

Brief Score 

New Zealand - 318/4 (87) 

Daryl Mitchell 81*(of 147), Tom Blundell 67* (of 136)

Ben Stokes 2-40 (12) James Aderson 2-42 (18)