Mitchell & Blundell lead New Zealand fightback - highlights & reaction

Matthew Potts' control was outstanding. He was picked as a difference bowler but today because Jamie Overton was the 'X-factor' he went to hitting line and length and was outstanding. I can't remember him bowling a bad ball.

What impressed me with Jack Leach was he seemed more on the ball. Whether he was finishing his action better I don't know but it felt like his stock ball had a bit more on it, just enough to keep the batsman honest. And when you do that your variations can then be more of a ploy. So a really good day for Jack Leach.

Jamie Overton on Sky Sports: "It would have been nice to play a Test with [brother] Craig but to get my cap from him was very special for us.

"We used to talk about this as kids, playing Test match cricket is the ultimate goal. He was delighted for me. We've had it quite a lot where there was one spot available but two of us, so he made his debut first but it was my turn today.

"It was a great feeling to get that first wicket. You always want to get it nice and early. it would've been nice to get a few more, but I'll settle for how I did today."

James Chalk: I mean I realise this isn’t exactly Nostradamus stuff but as soon as we turned down that plumb lbw review I just knew Mitchell was scoring a century. Might as well have raised his bat there and then.

Dan Thomas: Proper day’s Test cricket that with a bit of village thrown in. Thought Matty Potts was excellent all day

England debutant Jamie Overton, who took 1-41 today, on Sky Sports: "It's been a good day. I'm a bit tired, but hopefully we can get a few quick wickets tomorrow morning.

"I was nervous this morning. The slope took me a little bit by surprise, it's steeper than you think. It took me a couple of overs to get used to that but then I felt like I settled in quite nicely.

"The batters are just a higher quality in Test match cricket compared to county cricket and you've got to be on the ball all the time, you've always got to battle. Overall, I felt like I had a good day."

If you said to England you will get five wickets today when they lost the toss under bright sunshine on a belter of a wicket they would have snapped your hand off.

The wicket didn't play quite as I expected. It was a lot slower which made run-scoring turgid. But England bowled really well as a unit, especially when the ball got soft and the second new ball did nothing. So they should be really happy.

Blundell and Mitchell average 148.25 batting together in this series. Ridiculous.

Here is the extraordinary dismissal Daniel speaks of...

It's been an extraordinary day. We had that extraordinary dismissal of Henry Nicholls, we've seen Mitchell and Blundell batting New Zealand back into the match as we've seen so often this summer.

Matthew Potts was the bowler of the day for me, even though he didn't take a wicket.

Another close call, this time for Blundell who is surprised by some turn and bounce from Leach and gloves it into the gap square of the wicket.

And that, folks, is close of play. An intriguing day of cricket. New Zealand's top order struggled, once again. Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell rescued their side, once again.

When Blundell was new to the crease they bowled three overs of Joe Root at him. I don't know why they gave him that time to get in.

The game drifted then, but by and large Stokes has done well.

For the third time in three Tests, Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell share a 100 partnership. They achieve it off 204 balls.

SMS Message: Mitchell & Blundells sounds like a late, lamented county town department store offering a pot of tea and plate of fancies for five. from Bob

Mitchell & Blundells sounds like a late, lamented county town department store offering a pot of tea and plate of fancies for five.

Almost! Mitchell drives and an inside edge sends it squirting aerially towards Ollie Pope who is purposefully placed at short mid-wicket, but the ball drops just short.

Matthew Potts was close to getting that wicket he so thoroughly deserves today.

I could see the logic behind it because it was something different. But I think it went on for 4-5 overs too long.

When Tom Blundell came in England bowled Joe Root and Jack Leach, with Root returning for a second spell. I can't understand why they effectively played Blundell in.

Eaaaasy for the tourists. Plenty of flight. Not much turn. And six defensive shots from the Tom Blundell.

And Leach is back for over number 29.

Jack Leach bowled 28 out of the first 80 overs. Only one spinner has bowled more in the first 80 overs of a Headingley Test - South Africa left-armer Cyril Vincent in 1935.

Stuart Broad bangs it in short. Tom Blundell pulls it down to Jack Leach in the deep who does well to field and limit the scoring to just one.

England are tempting this settled New Zealand pair into playing their shots, which they are doing so but in a controlled manner. Four from the over.