Pope, Root centuries fuel England fightback

Ollie Pope hit his highest Test score of 142 not out and Joe Root swaggered to an unbeaten 109 as England raced to 331-2 against New Zealand at tea on the third day of the second Test at Trent Bridge.

Replying to New Zealand’s mammoth first innings score of 553, Pope and Root took full advantage of a docile pitch to ease the pressure on England.

Thanks to the pair’s commanding displays, England will expect to get close to New Zealand’s total in a match that could be destined for a high-scoring draw.

Pope’s second Test century, and his first on English soil, came after he was handed a surprise promotion to number three by England captain Ben Stokes at the start of the series.

It was Pope’s first Test ton since scoring 135 not out in South Africa in January 2020.

The 24-year-old’s England place has been in serious doubt at times in the last few years due to shoulder injuries and a lack of form.

But, batting in a position he had never previously featured in for England or Surrey prior to the first Test, Pope has repaid the faith of Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

Freed of the oppressive shackles of the England captaincy after handing the role to Stokes earlier this year, Root was in vibrant mood himself as he unfurled his full array of strokes in his 27th Test century.

Needing only 116 balls to reach his fastest Test ton, Root has picked up where he left off at Lord’s with a second successive century.

Earlier, Alex Lees compiled his highest Test score of 67 before becoming the only England batsman to perish in Sunday’s first two sessions.

BRIEF SCORES (AT TEA): New Zealand (1st innings) 553 vs England (1st innings) 331/2 in 82 overs (O Pope 142*, J Root 109*)