Tom Blundell was dismissed for 106. © AFP
A 236-run partnership for the fifth wicket involving Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell left the England bowlers deflated as New Zealand further strengthened their position in the second Test. Both Mitchell and Blundell registered fine hundreds as New Zealand went into Lunch on Day 2 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham at 412/5. Blundell's wicket late in the session was the only moment of respite for England, who continued to leak runs as 94 came in the session off 27 overs, including 15 boundaries.

Just like the first session on Day 1, there wasn't much assistance for the pace bowlers in terms of swing or movement, and Mitchell and Blundell were able to add to the total at a steady rate on the second morning. Stuart Broad and James Anderson erred with their line and lengths on a few occasions and the fifth wicket pair made sure to capitalise on it. Blundell chopped away a short delivery from Broad behind point for four while Mitchell drove a full delivery from Anderson through cover and then played the glance and the pull for two fours off the same bowler.

The experienced pace pair only got eight overs in tandem before Ben Stokes turned to Jack Leach and Matty Potts to break the partnership which was further strengthening New Zealand's position in the Test. They were unable to produce the breakthrough that England were hoping for, as Mitchell and Blundell dealt in boundaries to power their team forward. Potts did manage to get the outside edge of Mitchell's bat but the ball went past gully for a four which helped the batter register his second successive ton and his third overall in Test cricket.

England's catching woes continued as Potts grassed a chance when Mitchell miscued one off Jack Leach. In the very next over Mitchell got a thick edge off Potts that went to the boundary, helping the fifth wicket pair bring up the double-century stand, and he also struck a classy off-drive for another four in the same over. A sweep off Leach and a slog off Ben Stokes gave Mitchell two more boundaries while Blundell was also finding the ropes regularly at the other end. The wicketkeeper-batter got a thick edge off Leach for a four and then lofted one that nearly cleared the fence, before reaching three-figures with a single, bringing up his third Test hundred.

New Zealand crossed the 400 mark in the 109th over before the massive partnership came to an end when Blundell found Stokes at mid off while trying to loft a Leach delivery. Michael Bracewell, making his debut, scored a boundary off Stokes and was unbeaten along with Mitchell as New Zealand scored at close to 3.5 an over in the session.

Brief scores: New Zealand 412/5 (Daryl Mitchell 128*, Tom Blundell 106; James Anderson 2-54, Ben Stokes 2-59) vs England.