Mitchell century frustrates England as New Zealand pass 300

LEEDS, England : New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell continued to torment England as he reached his third century of the series to see his side pass the 300 mark on the second day of the final test at an overcast Headingley on Friday.

Starting the day on 225-5 with Mitchell (78) and Tom Blundell (45) again proving thorns in England's side, Mitchell lost his partner but reached three figures shortly before lunch with a straight six off Jack Leach.

After a slow start, New Zealand put on exactly 100 runs and reached lunch on 325-8.

Mitchell, the first New Zealand batsman to score centuries in three successive tests against England, was eventually out to the last ball before lunch when he miscued a drive off Leach and captain Ben stokes took a fine running catch in the deep.

Blundell had earlier brought up his half century by nudging Jamie Overton to the boundary but his innings ended with New Zealand having added only 18 to their overnight score.

Rapped on the pads by an inswinger from Matthew Potts, Blundell was rather harshly given out lbw with the ball appearing to be drifting to the leg side but he was unable to review as the DRS system was temporarily out of action.

Stuart Broad was left cursing as Michael Bracewell was dropped off his bowling by Jonny Bairstow, but it did not prove too expensive as he again found the edge of Bracewell's bat and this time Zack Crawley held the catch.

That left New Zealand on 265-7 and looking vulnerable but Mitchell was joined by Tim Southee who accelerated the scoring with a flurry of attacking shots.

Southee heaved birthday boy Broad over deep backward square for a six and tucked into the pace bowling of England debutant Overton who he struck for five boundaries, reaching 30 in only 19 balls as New