Root, who hit his fourth Test century in last five matches, was still there at stumps on 163 not out
Root, who hit his fourth Test century in last five matches, was still there at stumps on 163 not out
Joe Root and Ollie Pope made centuries Sunday to help England move to 473-5 and within sight of New Zealand’s vast first-innings total of 553 on Day 3 of a second Test that has turned into a batter’s paradise at Trent Bridge.
Root, currently the world’s most in-form batter in test cricket, was still there at stumps on 163 not out to give England hope of coming out of the first innings with an unlikely lead.
While Root is used to compiling centuries — this was his fourth in his last five Test matches and the 27th of his career — Pope reached three figures for just the second time in four years in the England team and the first at home.
Pope’s 145 beat his previous best score, the 135 not out against South Africa in January 2020, and justified the decision of England’s new leadership to promote him to No. 3 for this international summer.
Alex Lees (67) and Ben Stokes (46) chipped in with significant knocks and Ben Foakes was with Root on 24 not out at the close, with England trailing by 80.
England leads the three-match series 1-0 after a five-wicket win in the first Test at Lord’s last week.
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