Daryl Mitchell became the first player of the 2022 international season to etch his name on to the Lord’s Honours Boards as he hit a battling century for New Zealand against England.
In a match where 17 wickets had fallen on the opening day, the second day looked to be following a familiar pattern, as the Kiwis had quickly finished off the England tail before falling to 56 for 4 themselves.
But any thoughts of the first two-day Test at Lord’s since 1888 were banished by a superb fifth-wicket partnership between Mitchell and Tom Blundell.
Coming together at the crease with their side looking perilous against the seam attack of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and debutant Matthew Potts, Mitchell played with grit and determination to help New Zealand recover to 236 for 4 at the close, and three runs shy of his ton.
He duly reached the landmark on the third morning with a glorious cover drive off Broad, celebrating with gusto as his teammates applauded from the Pavilion balcony, knowing his efforts had helped New Zealand take control of the match.
Mitchell fell for 108 to Broad which brought to an end a match-changing partnership of 195.