1st Test: New Zealand have a 'big job' to do against England on day three, says Tom Blundell

Tom Blundell was pleased with his formidable partnership with Daryl Mitchell that put New Zealand in control of the first Test against England but the wicket-keeper batsman said they still have a "big job" to do on day three at Lord's. Blundell (90 not out) and Mitchell (97 not out) added 180 runs for the fifth wicket to revive New Zealand and take a solid 227-run lead on the second day. Wickets tumbled on a frantic first day and in the morning session of day two but world Test champions New Zealand showed resilience with the bat in the afternoon and evening sessions as they fought back and put pressure on the hosts.

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New Zealand took control of the first Test against England at Lord's after they earned a 227-run lead over the hosts on the second day as Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell produced a formidable middle-order partnership.

"I was just doing my things and playing the way I like to play," Blundell told reporters. "I was being positive... I thought Daryl batted especially well and to build a partnership with him was pretty pleasing." England's fast bowlers bundled out New Zealand for 132 in the first innings but they struggled to find a way past Blundell and Mitchell on Friday. Asked about how the Black Caps duo managed to break the bowlers' rhythm, Blundell said: "I think it was about trying to play the ball late and look to hit really straight.

"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." Blundell remains 10 runs away from his third century in the longest format and also