Blundell (90 not out) and Mitchell (97 not out) added 180 runs for the fifth wicket to revive New Zealand and take a stable 227-run lead on the second day.
Wickets tumbled on a frantic first day and within the morning session of day two however world Test champions New Zealand confirmed resilience with the bat within the afternoon and night periods as they fought again and put strain on the hosts.
“I was just doing my things and playing the way I like to play,” Blundell advised reporters. “I was being positive… I thought Daryl batted especially well and to build a partnership with him was pretty pleasing.”
England’s quick bowlers bundled out New Zealand for 132 within the first innings however they struggled to discover a well past Blundell and Mitchell on Friday.
Asked about how the Black Caps duo managed to break the bowlers’ rhythm, Blundell mentioned: “I think it was about trying to play the ball late and look to hit really straight.
What impressed batting coach Luke Ronchi the most on Day 2 at the @HomeOfCricket? #ENGvNZ https://t.co/ey1TQHLZ28
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“The pitch is a little bit sluggish, fairly arduous to get a rhythm at occasions, however if you happen to get by means of that and maintain on bringing the bowlers again — I believed we did that basically nicely.”
Blundell remains 10 runs away from his third century in the longest format and also getting his name featured on the iconic Lord’s honours board.
#StatChat | @dazmitchell47 and Tom Blundell’s unbeaten 180-run partnership has equalled New Zealand’s fifth-wicket… https://t.co/ROqc6SS7OS
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“Obviously it could imply a lot however there may be a great distance to go on this recreation,” he added. “Daryl and I have a massive job tomorrow to construct that lead.
“Those milestones will take care of themselves but first and foremost we got our job to do.”
