England have fought back from a difficult start to the second Test against New Zealand, with Tom Blundell hitting a century to put the hosts in a strong position on day two.
The day began with New Zealand in the ascendancy, having bowled England out for 353 in their first innings. The Black Caps then made a strong start to their own innings, with openers Tom Latham and Tom Blundell putting on a century partnership.
Latham was the first to go, caught behind off the bowling of Stuart Broad for 64. Blundell, however, continued to bat with confidence and eventually brought up his maiden Test century. He was eventually dismissed for 107, caught by Joe Root off the bowling of Jofra Archer.
The rest of the New Zealand batting line-up failed to make much of an impression, with the exception of Ross Taylor who made a half-century. The Black Caps were eventually bowled out for 278, leaving England with a lead of 75 runs.
England then made a strong start to their second innings, with openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley putting on a century partnership. Burns was the first to go, caught behind off the bowling of Neil Wagner for 67. Sibley, however, continued to bat with confidence and eventually brought up his maiden Test century. He was eventually dismissed for 120, caught by BJ Watling off the bowling of Wagner.
The rest of the England batting line-up failed to make much of an impression, with the exception of Joe Root who made a half-century. At the close of play, England were on 267-4, with a lead of 342 runs.
It was a day of contrasting fortunes for the two sides, with England fighting back from a difficult start to the day to put themselves in a strong position. Tom Blundell and Dom Sibley both made centuries, while Joe Root and Rory Burns both made half-centuries.
The Black Caps will need to make early inroads into the England batting line-up on day three if they are to have any chance of salvaging a draw from the match. For now, however, it is England who are in the driving seat.