Jonny Bairstow and Jamie Overton shine after top-order wickets tumble

England bowled New Zealand out for 329 just after lunch but soon found themselves in trouble on 55 for 6 inside 12 overs. However, Bairstow and Overton spearheaded a fightback in the final session

Headingley (second day of five): New Zealand 329, England 264-6 – England trail New Zealand by 65 runs with four first-innings wickets in hand

Scorecard

Jonny Bairstow and Jamie Overton rescued England from a ropey start with the bat, putting on a 209-run partnership to help their side close on 264 for 6.

New Zealand resumed on day two 225 for 5, with Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell once again in the middle. The latter brought up his half-century off 111 balls before falling to Matthew Potts shortly after and was soon joined in the shed by Michael Bracewell (13).

Jack Leach then snared Mitchell (109 off 228) on the stroke of lunch, but not before the New Zealander had brought up his third century of the series, and the spinner wrapped up his five-for in quick time in the second session, accounting for Tim Southee (33) and Neil Wagner to finish with figures of 5 for 100 from 38.3 overs. New Zealand all out for 329.

^{Jamie Overton is enjoying a dream debut for England [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

In reply, Trent Boult gifted New Zealand a fast start, exploiting the swing to bowl Alex Lees, Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley and reduce England to 17 for 3.

Joe Root was the next to depart, caught behind by Blundell off Southee, and it wasn’t long before Wagner got in on the act, removing Ben Stokes (caught Kane Williamson) and Ben Foakes (lbw) in the space of four balls as England slumped to 55 for 6.

However, Bairstow and Overton quickly set about undoing New Zealand’s good work and Williamson’s side were left to rue two missed opportunities.

Scoring all around the ground, Bairstow, who was dropped on 27, raced to fifty off 70 balls and brought up his century off 95 in the final half an hour of play.

Debutant Overton, meanwhile, would have been dismissed lbw early on in his knock had New Zealand reviewed. They didn’t and he made them pay.

Overton closed on 89 runs - 11 runs shy of his second first-class century - while Bairstow is not out on 130 (126). England trail by 65 runs heading in day three.

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