New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell spoke with a team-first attitude despite making a new career-best score against England at Trent Bridge as the visitors posted a first innings 553 having been inserted. 

The right-hander, who was dropped on three on Friday, was also reprieved on 104 by Matthew Potts, on his way to 190 in a 318-ball vigil. 

“Personally I am very happy with how today went,” he said, “When you get put into bat on a surface that we thought we would have bowled on as well, we will take 550. 

“For us it is about keep trying to back our partnerships, keep trying to put pressure back on the English bowlers and get yourself in a position to hopefully win on day five. 

“We absolutely love playing for our country so anytime we can fight and win those little battles for our country we will do it every day.”

Mitchell shared a 236 run stand with Tom Blundell, himself a century-maker, as the Blackcaps amassed their highest score at Nottinghamshire’s historic home. 

Having shared a significant stand at Lord’s, Mitchell said their relationship goes some way to explain their success together.

“We get on really well, he is a great man although he is quite quiet, he is very clear on how he wants to play his game," he said.

“We enjoy batting with each other and I think we compliment each other. The last few games it has gone well and it’s been good fun out there with him.”

The 31-year-old was, however, shown the fickle nature of cricket, when he dropped both Alex Lees and Ollie Pope at first slip as England mounted their reply. 

Mitchell played down the suggestion that fatigue contributed to missed chances. 

“I think that is the nature of the game,” he said. 

“The first one I catch nine times out of ten, and the second one is a reaction catch that either sticks or it doesn't. I have trained to play Test cricket and play five days and do this job.

“Anyone that has played cricket has dropped a catch in their life. I can’t control what happens now but for me it is just hopefully concentrating on the next one and taking the next one and we’ll see what happens.” 

England’s batting coach Marcus Trescothick, meanwhile, praised the approach of Lees and Pope - who scored his first 50 batting at three in the professional game - after the pair saw the hosts to 90/1 from just 26 overs after Zak Crawley was caught behind.

“We have seen them both play in County games and have a little bit of success playing international cricket and it is a great opportunity for both of them tomorrow to get a big score,” Trescothick said. 

“We know the player that is in there,” he said about Pope. “That is why is in the team and why we have pushed him up to number three because we all appreciate he has the talent, it is nurturing that and bringing him through to be the player he can be.

“I think there are good signs that [Lees] is a strong defensive opener, I am really impressed by him as a character in the changing room.”

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England versus New Zealand at our historic home

From James Anderson ripping through Australia, to Joe Root and Jos Buttler tons, day four fireworks are frankly commonplace at our historic home.

Secure your seats for day four of England against world champions New Zealand here…