New Zealand on top as Mitchell, Blundell extend lead

MATCH CENTRE

***Scores:*1st innings: NZ – 132, ENG – 141. 2nd innings : NZ – 236/4, NZ lead by 227 runs

Another Test debut, and this one on the second day!

Matt Parkinson made his Test debut for England after he was named as the concussion replacement for Jack Leach, who injured himself in the sixth over on the first day.

25-year-old Parkinson received his cap from England's spin coach Jeetan Patel, a former Black Cap. He became Test cap No.705 and England's first-ever concussion substitute.

WTC23 PREDICTOR

Interestingly Aussie legend Shane Warne had backed Parkinson's inclusion in an interview with Mirror Sportlast summer.

"I really like Matt Parkinson. And I reckon Parkinson is someone who could easily play Test cricket for England. He bowls at a beautiful pace and gets plenty of bounce so I think he could be an important weapon for England, and he might even get a go this year," Warne had said.

The dependable duo

If England have James Anderson-Stuart Broad, New Zealand have the ever-reliable Trent Boult and Tim Southee. The duo combined to pick up seven wickets to help bowl out England for 141, the hosts getting a slim lead of 9 runs.

It did not take long for New Zealand to get the job done as Southee castled Broad early in the morning on Day 2 for 9. Two overs later he forced Ben Foakes to edge one behind, getting his fourth wicket of the match. But a five-for was not in his destiny as Boult wrapped up the innings, getting Parkinson out for a run-a-ball 8.

Wickets in this match:

Seamers: 24

Spinners: 0

Potts impresses again

New Zealand suffered yet another dismal start as England seamers began attacking from the first ball. Anderson dismissed Will Young (1) in the third over.

The visitors were further dented by Matty Potts. The youngster was solid on his debut on the first day accounting for four wickets, which included the all-important scalp of Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson, not just once but TWICE!

Potts again removed Williamson, who ended up edging a straight-ish delivery to Jonny Bairstow at the third slip. Two overs later, Potts served another beauty, this time to Tom Latham, forcing him to edge one to the 'keeper.

New Zealand had to depart for Lunch at a slightly worrying score of 38/3 with Potts' figures reading 2/11.

Another pair flourishes

The tenor of the match shifted in the second session. After Devon Conway's wicket, the pair of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell dug in. The duo was initially slow and scored at a snail's pace but they concentrated on stabilising the innings.

The shift finally came when Mitchell milked 12 runs off a Ben Stokes over. Taking that as a sign to break free, Mitchell and Blundell started taking control of the match.

Despite the introduction of Parkinson, spin proved no threat to the New Zealand batters. The fifty-run partnership eventually turned to a hundred with both batters getting their respective fifties and nearing a hundred.

"It was hard toil for the England bowlers," concluded Simon Doull on commentary as Mitchell hit a four on the last ball of the day to take New Zealand to 236/4, with a healthy lead of 227.

Mitchell is on 97*, while Blundell is on 90* with the visitors gaining a solid lead. Could this be a Test match winning partnership?

Stat attack: Tim Southee is just two wickets away from becoming the joint-highest non-England wicket-taker at Lord's. He will overtake fellow countryman, the great Richard Hadlee.