Tom Blundell: New Zealand still have a big job to do

Blundell and his partner for the fifth wicket, Daryl Mitchell, who is unbeaten on 97, appear to have taken the first Test away from England, but the New Zealand batter is not getting ahead of himself

Huw Turbervill | 03/06/2022 at 20:22

If Tom Blundell was nervous at the prospect of a sleepless night on 90 not out in a Lord’s Test then he didn’t show it. In fact, like all of his New Zealand teammates, he seemed calmness personified.

The 31-year-old and his partner for the fifth wicket, Daryl Mitchell, who is unbeaten on 97, appear to have taken the first Test away from England.

The duo will both look to pass three figures on day three, and continue their stand of 180, by 121 the largest of the match.

The Wellington wicketkeeper made a century on his Test debut against West Indies on his home ground, the Basin Reserve, in late 2017. He celebrated by walking home with a stump. You’d suspect one here at Lord’s will be in his sights this time too.

In his third Test on Boxing Day two years later he made 136 against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but no centuries have been forthcoming since, although he did make 96 against South Africa at Christchurch this February. Now a third ton in his sights, in his 18th Test.

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^{New Zealand were not expecting to face Matt Parkinson [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

"It was a very tough situation to come into, but Daryl and I showed intent – it’s that sort of wicket, if you do that the runs will come," he said.

"We ended the day pretty well. I just played the way I want to play, to be positive. I tried to play the ball late. There was some shape early on, but I tried to hit straight. Daryl batted especially well. To build a partnership like that was pretty pleasing.

"The pitch is slow, it was hard to get some rhythm at times. It’s a new-ball wicket, when it’s hard it swings more. It nibbled off the pitch, but when the ball goes soft it can be easier – although it’s still tough.

"England bowled well, quite tight. It was all about batting time and building partnerships. We weren’t expecting to face Matt Parkinson but we found some footage.

"It would obviously mean a huge amount to me to score a century here, but there’s still a long way to go. We have a big job to do. Ultimately, a win at Lord’s would be fantastic."

He played credit to his bowlers, who hustled England from 59 for 0 to 141 all out. "They bowled really well. It wasn’t looking good, but they showed they are world class."