Middle-order pair Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell have saved the day again for New Zealand.
On Day 1 of the third Test against England in Leeds, the duo batted the Blackcaps out of danger from 5/123 to finish on 5/225 at stumps.
The 102-run stand between Mitchell and Blundell takes their partnership runs in a series to 593, smashing the previous New Zealand record of 552 between Martin Crowe and Andrew Jones against Sri Lanka in 1990-91.
Mitchell’s hot form continued with 78 not out following scores of 13, 108, 190 and 62 not out in the previous two Tests.
He leads the way overall this series with 451 runs at an average of 150.3. Joe Root is second on 305 runs.
Keeper-batsman Blundell finished the day on 45 unbeaten after his second Test century in Nottingham.
Brendon McCullum’s English side was on top early with Stuart Broad dismissing Tom Latham for a duck while also claiming the scalp of captain Kane Williamson (31).
Spinner Jack Leach also chipped in with two wickets as England owned the first three sessions.
Day 2 resumes with Mitchell and Blundell at the crease from 8pm NZT.
You can hear all the action LIVE on SENZ.