Daryl Mitchell scored an unbeaten 81, and splashed a six into a spectator’s pint of beer, as New Zealand cruised to 318/4 from 87 overs at the end of the opening day of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge on Friday. Mitchell ended the day on an unbeaten 149-run partnership with Tom Blundell (67 batting).

Needing a win to level the three-match series after a stinging five wicket defeat at Lord’s last weekend, and without captain and leading batsman Kane Williamson, the Black Caps started by losing the toss and being put in to bat.

The absence of Williamson, in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 on the eve of the match, proved less of a setback than expected as the visitors reached 108/2 at lunch and 195/4 at tea.

They were helped by England’s fielders missing plenty of chances.

“England as a collective have not fielded well. Not just the dropped catches, but diving over a few and others going through their hands,” former England captain Michael Vaughan told listeners on BBC Test Match Special.

“England were magnificent at Lord’s but today (Friday) it was like putting on an old sweater. The team of the last two years is back.”

Joe Root dropped one catch and Zak Crawley let slip another chance after England, unchanged from the first Test, had grabbed back-to-back wickets just before lunch.

All-rounder Michael Bracewell was handed his Test debut as injured Colin de Grandhomme’s replacement in the New Zealand middle order.