Leeds, June 23: One of the most bizarre dismissals in cricket history was followed by an all-too-familiar counterattack by Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell as New Zealand eked out 225-5 on day one of the third test against England on Thursday.
Henry Nicholls couldn’t believe his misfortune when his straight drive careered into the bat of Mitchell, who was attempting to take evasive action at the non-striker’s end, and rebounded all the way across to mid-off where Alex Lees was alert enough to take the catch.
There were looks of bewilderment across the faces of England’s players – notably Jack Leach, who claimed his second wicket of the day – as Nicholls trudged off for 19 and with New Zealand stuttering on 123-5 at tea at Headingley.
That, however, brought together Blundell and Mitchell, who have shared partnerships of 195 and 236 already in this three-match series in which England holds an unassailable 2-0 lead.
They put on an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 102 to be there at stumps, giving the tourists renewed hope of a consolation victory. Mitchell was on 78 and Blundell on 45. (AP)
