New Zealand amassed an intimidating total of 553 in their first innings of the second Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Saturday.

In reply, England were 90/1 when stumps were drawn, still 463 runs in arrears. Ollie Pope was batting on 51 with Alex Lees (34 batting) for company. Both were lucky as Daryl Mitchell dropped them at first slip.

But Mitchell otherwise had a fantastic day, which was interrupted by rain.

Mitchell and Tom Blundell, the two overnight batsmen, struck centuries to put the Black Caps in command. Mitchell fell 10 short of a double century, while Blundell was out for 106. Debutant Michael Bracewell too batted well, but missed out on a half-century when he was dismissed on 49 by James Anderson.

Veteran Anderson was clearly the best England bowler, as he finished with three wickets.

A more aggressive Mitchell milked the runs off Leach during the second session, smashing a huge six before getting to 150 runs. Mitchell hit 23 boundaries and four sixes in his 318-ball innings.

Mitchell and Blundell shared a partnership of 236 — NZ’s highest fifth-wicket stand in Tests. England, once again, fielded poorly on Saturday.

Written with inputs from Reuters