England Vs New Zealand Second Test
England mounted a thrilling comeback to reach 473-5 at the close of play on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand on Sunday, with Joe Root scoring his fastest Test century and Ollie Pope striking a brilliant 145. (June 12). After resuming on 90-1 in the morning following the touring side’s enormous first-innings total of 553, England excelled on a superb batting pitch at a bright Trent Bridge to trail just 80 at stumps.
Ben Foakes was not out on 24 after being given a lifeline, while Root was unbeaten on 163. Former captain Root joined in the fun after opener Alex Lees fell for 67. Pope, who was dropped early in his innings on Saturday, looked in magnificent form for the majority of the day to reach his second Test tonne as the hosts made New Zealand toil.
Root arrived having scored an unbeaten 115 in the first Test to lead England to a five-wicket victory, but he had a tense start and was lucky to survive after flashing at a ball from Tim Southee, who also dropped him at slip. However, the 31-year-old regained his calm to reach his half-century off 56 deliveries, before troubling New Zealand, who struggled to stop the batters as they moved their team past 300 runs in the 75th over.
Root reached 97 after a reverse sweep from Michael Bracewell, before completing his 27th Test century and fourth at this venue with an edge for a four off Daryl Mitchell two overs later. It was Root’s fourth century in five Tests, and a flip off the pads for four pushed him to 150 as he put New Zealand to the sword.
Pope had earlier scored his century — his first since 2020 and first on home soil — when he cut Matt Henry for four and then pushed him over cover for two, drawing loud applause. Early in the fourth session, Pope was dismissed when he top-edged one to Matt Henry off Trent Boult, who later dismissed Jonny Bairstow for eight runs after a review revealed he edged the ball to the keeper, leaving England at 344-4.
New Zealand were in trouble thanks to Ben Stokes’ blitz, but he was dismissed for 46 after attempting one too many sixes, and Bracewell took a critical first wicket on his debut. The Black Caps, on the other hand, lost another chance when Will Young dropped Foakes on 10. Lees had been in fine form earlier, driving Southee for two boundaries before reaching his first Test fifty with a four against Kyle Jamieson, who later had a back injury.
On 67, Lees chased down a wide delivery from Henry and edged it to Mitchell at slip, who made no mistake in ending the 141-run second-wicket partnership.