Joe Root has scored his fastest Test century while Ollie Pope struck a superb 145, as England launched a stirring fightback to reach 5-473 after the third day of the second Test against New Zealand.
Resuming on 1-90 on Sunday morning after the tourists had posted a massive first-innings total of 553, England excelled on a good batting wicket at a sunny Trent Bridge to trail by just 80 when stumps were drawn.
Root was unbeaten on 163 with Ben Foakes not out on 24 after being handed a lifeline.
Pope, dropped early in his innings on Saturday, looked in sublime form for most of the day to notch his second Test ton as the hosts made New Zealand toil with former captain Root joining in the fun after opener Alex Lees fell for 67.
“Amazing. He’s England’s greatest,” Pope told the BBC while discussing Root.
“Watching him do what he’s doing at the moment, it’s a joy to be a part of in the changing room or out there in the middle with him. It’s amazing to watch.”
(Photo by Darrian Traynor – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Root arrived having hit an unbeaten 115 to guide England to a five-wicket win in the first Test but endured nervy moments early on and was lucky to survive after he flashed at a ball from Tim Southee who also dropped him at slip.
But the 31-year-old regained his composure to bring up his half-century off 56 deliveries, before frustrating New Zealand, who struggled to contain the batters as they took their team past the 300-run mark in the 75th over.
A reverse sweep off Michael Bracewell took Root to 97 before an inside edge for four off Daryl Mitchell two overs later completed his 27th Test century and fourth at this venue, with the knock coming off only 116 balls.
It was Root’s fourth century in five Tests, coming after he reached 10,000 runs in the format in the last match, and a flick off the pads for four took him to 150 as he put New Zealand to the sword.
Earlier, it did not take long after lunch for Pope to score his century – his first since 2020 and first on home soil – as he cut Matt Henry for four before pushing him through cover for two to draw loud cheers.
Pope fell early in the final session as he top-edged one to Matt Henry off Trent Boult, who then removed Jonny Bairstow for eight after a review showed he edged the ball to the keeper.
Skipper Ben Stokes’ blitz had New Zealand in a spot of bother but he perished for 46 attempting one too many sixes, as Bracewell claimed an important maiden wicket on debut.
However, the Black Caps squandered another opportunity when Will Young dropped Foakes on ten.
Lees had looked in good form earlier, bringing up his maiden Test 50 with a four off Kyle Jamieson, who later sustained a back injury.
On 67, however, Lees chased a wide delivery from Henry to edge it to Mitchell at slip.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
No, a great win, no question about. An exception though, as there have been very few occasions of chasing that score or higher entirely within the final day.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Is it still a fizzle
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
If Leach was the answer we'd know by now. It's a major hole in any bowling unit. Joffra's quickly becoming cricket's Manu Tuilagi for England in so many ways. Also can't help feeling we're missing the opportunity to properly segue from Broad and Anderson to the next quicks. As for the batting, one swallow probably is going to make the Summer for England, but there's still a lot of work to do there. I doubt anyone seriously doubts that. Agree, Mitchell looks the real deal, but Boycott references always stir horrendous memories of interminable afternoons on the sofa with the old man not appreciating the important art of not scoring. Pouched catches from both sides could have produced a very different test, as would a full compliment of Kiwi bowlers. But you can't complain about a packed house on day 5 under any circumstances can you. Such a shame this isn't a 5 Tester but you're absolutely right - plenty for both sides to prove at Headingley, and I can't remember a Kiwi side ever shouldering arms. Looking forward to it.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Good call on the bowling mate. Potts went well. Once Joffra and Ollie are fit and firing the bowling group is strong. Is Leach the spinner though? Good to see Pope and Lees scoring runs too. Black Caps should have done better in that 2nd dig but couldn't and they will rue a couple of chances they should have pouched in the 1st innings. No Wagner was a mistake in my book. Mitchell was a positive with the blade and shapes as an easy replacement for de GrandDesigns, but a couple of that top order need a Boycott clinic about the proximity of eyes and off-pick. Anyway, congrats on the series revenge. Hope fully the Black Caps are better at Leeds. A 5 day Test is never a "dead rubber"...
SDHoneymonster
Guest
I'm becoming convinced he's doing it deliberately - get the press and fans all calling for him to be dropped so he can stick a middle finger up and go out and smack a hundred, as it's pretty much the only circumstance in which he ever does.
Republican
Guest
Always a joy when NZ are defeated at all and sundry.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
The Ginger Ninja and Street Fighter. Proper mugging from that duo! Tbh England's bowling unit probably deserved more praise than they got. No one went for more than 3.65 in that 2nd innings. It put a lid on NZ that slipped off in the first, and that mattered.
Keith Griffen
Guest
Salute. Credit where it is due. England snapped a 3 series losing streak against NZ, the last time they beat NZ in a test series was in 2013. Take nothing away from them, it’s not that easy to chase any score in test cricket. They chased the highest score at that ground agains wtc champs NZ, with some 800 test wickets (excl Wagner) on the field. South Africa and India beware.
Keith Griffen
Guest
Yet it takes the kiwis 4 or 5 African expats to win the WTC! Wagner is the fastest left handed to 200 test wickets. Conway is drafted from the highveld. Bj watling is from the same area as Kp. Degrondhomme played for Zimbabwe. Grant Elliot. The list goes on. A lot of people give England flak for fielding an African XI in KP, Strauss, trott etc. truth is nz wouldn’t have appeared in the wtc final without an African XI
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Your eyes too Neil! What a result from England. Bairstow and Stokes. Stand and deliver...
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Bad day for Kiwi sports, the Soccer team lost to Peru in the final Qatar WC qualifier.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Nah. Good chance he'll do it again in-between being bowled through the gate for single figures. Good to see the Aussie rugby fan's ability to conjure a win from a loss is also manifest in Kiwi cricket! Anzac spirit?
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Great match.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Ooooh, I hope you were up North for that Riccardo. Long, long night otherwise .....
Clear as mud
Guest
Ummm...
Andy
Guest
This comment did not age well
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Geez, that comment aged well. :happy:
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Damn your eyes Nudge. :unhappy:
Bairstow - good luck him. A once in a lifetime innings. Takes a Kiwi coach and a Kiwi captain to get England going again.
Englishbob
Guest
Preparing a flat pitch then winning the toss and bowling first.....mmm