THE GREATEST
Relentless Root hailed as our No1 after hitting his fastest England ton
Ollie POPe last night hailed Joe Root as england’s greatest ever after both men scored centuries on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand.
Pope hit a career-best 145, while Root finished unbeaten on 163 — his 10th Test hundred since the start of last year and his fastest Test ton, reached in just 116 balls.
england closed on 473 for five, 80 behind the tourists.
‘ i was just buzzing,’ said Pope, who had not made a Test century since January 2020. ‘it’s not been the easiest ride over the last year or so. Once i got over the line, it was a relief — but i was just so happy. You have to take in those moments, which is something i’ve come to realise. i’ve never doubted that my game is there for Test cricket but
I want to be performing more consistently and use this as a starting point.’
Pope added 187 runs at four and a half an over with Root, having spent time working with him in the nets. ‘We’re seeing England’s greatest ever,’ he said. ‘You try to learn as much as you can — whether that’s him throwing balls at you for 20 minutes at the end of a session or trying to pick his brains. The relentless nature of what he’s doing is something I can learn from. He wants success for his team-mates as much as for himself.’
Pope said he learned of his new role at No 3 when Test coach Brendon McCullum phoned him while he was walking his dog on a holiday in Cornwall.
‘I’ve told people it’s the first time I can see myself as a No 3 in red-ball cricket,’ he added. ‘To get the runs today certifies that in my mind and hopefully I can use this as a massive advantage moving forward.’