New Zealand produced a battling display as they fought back from a worrying opening session to lead England by more than 100 at tea at Lord’s.
The world test champions began after lunch on 38-3 – a lead of just 29 – but, after following the wicket of Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell steered the visitors to a stronger position heading into the final session of the day.
New Zealand went into the tea break on 128-4, a lead of 119, with Mitchell nearing his half-century on 43 and Blundell not out with 37.
Daryl Mitchell helped New Zealand recover after a difficult first session on day two at Lord’s
Tom Blundell also battled through to tea to give New Zealand a platform for the rest of the Test
Matt Parkinson, England’s first ever concussion substitute in a Test after replacing the injured Jack Leach, made his long-awaited debut with the ball but could not find a breakthrough in his six-over spell.
It was a more serene period of cricket in a chaotic opening Test so far, where wickets have tumbled for both sides – although it started brightly for the hosts.
England may have smelt blood when Stuart Broad enticed a feather of an edge from Conway, who departed for 13.
Matt Parkinson made his long-awaited Test debut for England but could not make the breakthrough
Stuart Broad took the only wicket of the second session as Devon Conway departed for 13
But New Zealand recovered from the early setback as England’s bowlers were met with stern resistance.
Earlier Matthew Potts’ Matthew Potts’ dream England debut continued as he took two wickets to help reduce New Zealand to 38-3 after the hosts had been skittled out with an innings advantage of just nine.
Potts again took got captain Kane Williamson before having Tom Latham caught behind.
New Zealand had slipped to 5-1 after James Anderson found Will Young’s edge with another teasing delivery.
Resuming on 116-7 following a trademark middle-order collapse and still trailing by 17, England limped past New Zealand’s total of 132 as they were bowled out for 141.
England made a positive start with the ball, with Anderson snaring his fifth wicket of the match by having Young caught behind by Ben Foakes.
Matthew Potts took two wickets in the opening session on day two at the home of cricket
Potts got the wicket of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson for the second straight innings
New Zealand gradually began fight back and were in danger of ruining a good start by England until Potts was introduced into the attack by new captain Ben Stokes.
The 23-year-old quick, who ended yesterday with figures of 4-13, had Williamson’s number again as his thick edge was caught in the slips by Jonny Bairstow.
Potts, bowling a testing line and length, tempted Latham into a prod outside off-stump that made the thinnest of contacts with the ball before safely falling to Foakes, with the wicket given following an unsuccessful New Zealand review.
