Third LV Insurance Test, Headingley (day one of five)
New Zealand 225-5: Mitchell 78*, Blundell 45*
England: Yet to bat
Scorecard

On the first day of the third Test, England's bowlers were once again held up by New Zealand's.

Mitchell ended 78 not out as the Black Caps recovered from 123-5 to reach 225 without further loss.

After partnerships of 195 in the first Test and 236 in the second, Blundell and Mitchell combined for an unconquered stand of 100.

England were left to rue the decision not to review an LBW decision against Mitchell after losing the toss and being sent in to bat.

He would have been out for eight if they did that.

Earlier, Stuart Broad had Tom Latham caught at first slip in the first over and debutant Jamie Overton was the first international cricketer to score a point.

The remarkable dismissal of Henry Nicholls, caught at mid-off by Mitchell's bat, was one of two taken by the spinner.

Mitchell and Blundell survived a further 10 overs against the new ball to keep the Test interesting.

England thwarted on Headingley return

After the racism scandal which engulfed the sport last year, cricket returned to Headingley.

The right to host international matches was taken away from the county last year, but was restored in February after they made improvements.

  • Patel feared Headingley would not host Test cricket

England fans have become accustomed to the fast pace of the new era under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, but those in attendance saw a more traditional day.

Bairstow's century fired England to a famous win over New Zealand, but the Black Caps only scored 2.5 runs per over.

England's bowlers were very good in the first two sessions. New Zealand bats on a flat pitch under blue skies.

In Mitchell and Blundell, there are two batters who can't be blamed for New Zealand's loss.

The only mistake Mitchell made was when he missed an inswinger from Matthew. The technology said the ball would have hit the middle stump if it had been reviewed.

England's bowlers impress

New Zealand were able to work their way back into the day due to an error by England.

Broad gave England a perfect start by finding the edge of Latham off the first ball of the match.

The skipper's return after missing the second Test with Covid-19 ended with a thin edge to the keeper.

Craig, who was in the squad but left out of the final XI, gave his brother's cap to him.

One of the best first-innings performances of his interrupted Test career was given by Leach, who conceded 2.68 runs per over.

It was good fortune for one of England's most unfortunate cricketers when the ball looped into the hands of Alex Lees after being hit by Mitchell.

He missed Tests for concussion, illness and selection in recent times and could argue that he is deserving of the fortune.

Mitchell and Blundell dig in again

In the five-innings series against England, Mitchell and Blundell have scored 593 runs together, the most in a series against England since South Africa's Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs scored 663 in the nine-innings series against England in 2004.

Mitchell andBlundell have done the same thing in the previous two Tests.

Mitchell was able to attack more effectively than any of his team mates because he used the reverse sweep and thumped the spinner for two straight sixes.

After accumulating well, Blundell was caught behind off Joe Root's off-spin on 31, but he overturned the decision on review.

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