ENG vs NZ| We have a big job to do tomorrow: Tom Blundell after stumps on Day 2

After bundling England out for a paltry 141 runs in their first innings, New Zealand had a disastrous start to their second innings as the visitors lost four quick wickets for just 56 runs. However, the keeper-batter Tom Blundell and the all-rounder Daryl Mitchell have steadied the ship for the Blackcaps by forming a crucial unbeaten stand of 180 runs for the fifth wicket, which has taken New Zealand to 236 for four at the end of Day two.  

On being asked about his desire of getting a hundred and scripting his name in the Lords' honours board, Blundell said that attaining personal milestones is secondary to him as he considers guiding New Zealand to a safe total in their second innings as his primary objective. 

"There is a long way to go in this game. Daryl and I have a big job tomorrow to build that lead. Those milestones will take care of themselves, but first and foremost, we got our job to do," Blundell said. 

Revealing the secret of his success, the stylish right-handed batter said that he was positive in his mindset, played the ball late and tried to hit it straight, which subsequently reaped the rewards. 

The 31-year-old also praised Daryl Mitchell's batting and termed it a pleasant experience to stitch the magnificent partnership of 180 runs with him. 

"I was being positive. I think it was about trying to play the ball late and look to hit really straight", Blundell said. "I thought Daryl batted especially well, and to build a partnership with him was pretty pleasing," he further added. 

Continuing, Blundell revealed that the pitch was slowish in nature, but they were able to frustrate the opponent bowlers by not giving them easy chances, which ensured the duo remained unbeaten at the end of the day's play.  

"The pitch is a little bit slow, quite hard to get a rhythm at times, but if you get through that and keep on bringing the bowlers back -- I thought we did that really well," the Wellington-born concluded.