New Zealand vs England LIVE: Cricket score and updates from first Test

England reach 79-2 in their second innings at stumps on day two and lead by 98 runs

A view of Bay Oval under the lights in Mount Maunganui (AFP via Getty Images)

Tom Blundell struck a brilliant century to reel in England on day two of the first pink-ball Test in Mount Maunganui on Friday but the wicket-keeper was left red-faced after costing New Zealand a late wicket in the evening session.

Blundell’s 138 from 181 balls drove New Zealand to 306 in their reply to England’s declared first innings total of 325-9 on a glorious day at Bay Oval.

New Zealand removed openers Zak Crawley (28) and Ben Duckett (25), leaving the tourists 79-2 with a lead of 98 runs at stumps.

A mix-up between wicket-keeper Blundell and bowler Scott Kuggeleijn cost New Zealand a third wicket, though, reprieving a scoreless Stuart Broad after the night-watchman sent a top edge soaring into the night sky.

As the man with the gloves, Blundell should have taken it but the ball dropped harmlessly between the pair, allowing Broad to stroll off six not out, with No 3 Ollie Pope unbeaten on 14.

New Zealand vs England LIVE: First Test updates

• England face New Zealand in the first Test of a two-match series in Tauranga
• England declared on 325-9 towards the end of day one, as Harry Brook top-scored with 89
• New Zealand bowled out for 306 after Tom Blundell’s 138
• England reach 79-2 at stumps on day two, and lead by 98 runs

New Zealand vs England

15 February 2023 08:28

New Zealand vs England

15 February 2023 07:30

New Zealand vs England

15 February 2023 01:30

New Zealand vs England

15 February 2023 01:15

New Zealand vs England

Teams will be announced at the toss

15 February 2023 01:01

New Zealand vs England

Follow live coverage of New Zealand vs England from the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 today.

The ICC Test Championship sees nine teams compete across a two-year cycle of matches before a two-team final decides the winner. The inaugural competition was won by New Zealand after a thrilling victory over India in June 2021.

The 50-over World Cup is far older and has been competed for since back in 1975. Australia are the record winners having run out victorious on five occasions (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015). England took the 2019 crown after a dramatic Ben Stokes-inspired super-over win over New Zealand at Lord's.

The shortest form of the game sees teams compete in Twenty20. The newest format has been an instant global hit with a number of hugely-lucrative competitions massively popular all over the world. Australia are reigning world champions having taken victory in the 2021 tournament.

Follow all the latest live coverage of today's match in the live blog below:

15 February 2023 01:00