Joe Root hit an unbeaten 163 and Ollie Pope hit his highest Test score of 145 as England reached 473-5 against New Zealand at the close of play on the third day of the second Test.
Responding to New Zealand’s mammoth first innings total of 553, Root and Pope took full advantage of a humble pitch with a blistering run at Trent Bridge on Sunday.
Thanks to the pair’s impressive performances, England are in a position to match or surpass New Zealand’s total in a Test match, which could be destined for a high-scoring draw with two days to go.
Freed from the oppressive shackles of England’s captaincy after the role was handed over to Stokes earlier this year, Root was in a lively mood with a full series of strokes in his 27th Test century.
Only 116 balls were needed to reach his fastest Test century, picked up by Root where he scored his second consecutive century at Lord’s.
His match-winning team of 115 not out gave England a thrilling five-wicket win over Test world champions in the opening match of the three-match series.
Strengthening his case for what is regarded as England’s greatest batsman ever, Root’s fourth Test century this year took the 31-year-old into rare air.
He became the 12th highest run-scorer in Test history during his innings, surpassing Pakistan’s Younis Khan and India’s Sunil Gavaskar.
Pope’s second Test century came when he was given a surprise promotion to number three by England captain Ben Stokes at the start of the series.
It was Pope’s first Test century since scoring an unbeaten 135 in South Africa in January 2020.
The 24-year-old’s place in England has been in doubt several times due to a shoulder injury and lack of form.
But, before the first Test for England or Surrey, batting in a position he had never occupied before, Pope repaid the trust of Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.
Earlier, Alex Lee compiled his highest Test score of 67 to set the tone for England’s scintillating day, with a total of 383 runs.
– majestic root –
Just before lunch, Root top-edged Trent Boult to Tim Southee, who allowed the ball to swing through his hands as he lifted it over his head in an unsuccessful bid to make a difficult catch. .
Within touching distance of his ton, Pope hit Boult through mid-wicket for four and reached his milestone with a comfortable drive for two.
There was a look of joy and relief on Pope’s face as he soaked up the applause of the crowd and received a warm hug from Root after his 14th first-class century.
Root enjoyed a stroke of luck and shone behind his stumps before waving his bat with a wrong cut to reach his century.
Pope’s innings came to an end when, after replacing his damaged pad in the first ball, he pulled Boult the wrong way and Matt Henry was caught diving.
Although purists would have questioned the approach in the Test setting, Stokes opted for brute force as he embraced McCullum’s desire to play for England with aggression at all times.
The New Zealand bowler smashed Kyle Jamieson for a six amid a flurry of boundaries, limping with a clear injury to match his bruising ego.
New Zealand said Jamieson was “off the field after experiencing severe pain in his lower back. They are currently being assessed by the medical staff”.
Stokes’ 33-ball cameo ended on 46 when he slogged one too many times off Bracewell and was caught by Boult.
Ben Fox successfully overturned the decision behind the catch after a review, which revealed that he had not touched Henry’s delivery.
Fox, who enjoyed another moment of good fortune as Will Young, caught Southee, scored an unbeaten 24.
It was the day of the peerless route and he reached 150 with a brilliant flick to the boundary for the 13th time in Tests.
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