DAVID LLOYD Root the sorcerer is England’s magic man

Echoes of Richards and Pietersen as ex-captain hits his 27th Test century

First came the apprentices and then, emphatically, came the sorcerer as England, at long last, looked a genuine test batting line-up playing in the dynamic way demanded of them.

there was Alex Lees channelling, as he had said he would, his inner Matthew Hayden and taking the attack to New Zealand in a positive but far from reckless manner.

then there was Ollie Pope, justifying the faith shown in him by new management with a high-class century that reminded us why he was considered, not so long ago, England’s next great test batsman in the making.

And then, gloriously, there was the remarkable figure of Joe root making yet another hundred and going about his business with joy and elan, but above all the enormous skill that increasingly marks him out as one of the greatest to have played the game.

together the trio were responsible for a highly promising third day of this second test.

No fewer than 383 runs flowed and England showed they were not just attempting to save this game after conceding 553. they want to try to win it.

Yes, this trent Bridge pitch has been flat and conditions have been perfect for run making.

And yes, two more chances went down and New Zealand lost one of their best bowlers when Kyle Jamieson had to leave the field with back pain. But this was a real statement by the ‘new’ England.

it was a statement that captain Ben stokes perhaps too k a little too far when he tried to smash debutant spinner Michael

Bracewell out of the attack and holed out for 46 off 33 balls when another big contribution was there for the taking.

But clearly stokes is determined to be ultra-positive at all times and was prepared to sacrifice himself in the name of all- out attack, if it provided a selfless example for his team.

the greatest example, of course, is being provided by the man stokes replaced because root is taking his game, if it were possible, to even greater heights now he does not have to worry about the demands of captaincy.

Last sunday root made one of the greatest of his 26 test hundreds in winning the first test at Lord’s.

this one, his 27th, was his fastest, reached off just 116 balls as New Zealand were forced on to the defensive after making all the running in the first two days.

there were all the classic ingredients of a root hundred — the almost effortlessly busy and classy stroke-play, but also echoes of two greats of the past.

First there was a touch of sir Viv richards about the way root pulled Matt Henry for four.

then, towards the end of a run- soaked day, there was a bit of Kevin Pietersen about a sensational on- driven four off a despairing tim southee.

it was not quite perfect. When root was on 27 he cut trent Boult to second slip but southee could only push the chance over the ‘bar’.

then, on 52, root tried to slog- sweep southee when faced with a seven-two off-side field and thought he had given it away when he top edged the ball high into the sky. thankfully for him the ball landed safely as wicketkeeper tom Blundell sprinted towards deep square leg where Jamieson had hesitated.

Otherwise, this was sublime from root, who is enjoying himself and even had time to make one young spectator’s day by stopping to sign a bat on his way in for tea.

it was his fourth hundred this year, his 10th since the start of 2021 and his fourth at trent Bridge. if he stays fit there is no limit to what root can do over the next few years.

the biggest compliment that can be paid to Pope is that there were times when it was easy to mistake him for root. stokes was adamant he wanted the surrey man in his side when he became captain and believed in him so much that he asked him to bat in the problem position of three.

it has looked two places too high before now but even though Pope could have gone on saturday when he was dropped on 37 by Daryl Mitchell, this was the perfect demonstration of his enormous orthodox talent.

He was given a helping hand when four overthrows from Bracewell took him to 89 and then, when he reached his first century since that breakthrough hundred in Port Elizabeth 35 long innings ago, there were joyous celebrations — not least from root, who raced to embrace his young team-mate.

Lees should have made a hundred too and will kick himself for wafting at Henry and giving it away on 67.

then Jonny Bairstow missed out when a review found he had gloved Boult through to Blundell.

But root remains on 163 from 200 balls and with him is Ben Foakes, dropped on nine by Will Young as New Zealand continued having the same problems in the field that England suffered.

England are now just 80 runs behind, the ball has started to turn for Bracewell and New

Zealand might, just might, come under a little pressure in the third innings.

the draw remains the most likely result but stranger things have happened than a win for either side.

England need only remember the Ashes test of 2006 in Adelaide — when both teams made more than 500 in their first innings but Australia still managed to win — to be reminded of that.

More importantly, this is the way stokes and Brendon McCullum want England to play and not even two long days in the field before it, costly missed chances and considerable scoreboard pressure have affected their positive intent.

that can only be encouraging for England.