2nd Test: Root, Pope centuries fuel England fightback against New Zealand

Joe Root swaggered to a majestic 163 not out and Ollie Pope hit his highest Test score of 145 as rampant England reached 473-5 against New Zealand at close of play on the third day of the second Test. Replying to New Zealand's mammoth first innings score of 553, Root and Pope took full advantage of a docile pitch with a blistering run-spree at Trent Bridge on Sunday. Thanks to the pair's commanding displays, England are in position to match or pass New Zealand's total in a Test that could be destined for a high-scoring draw with two days left.

Freed of the oppressive shackles of the England captaincy after handing the role to Stokes earlier this year, Root was in vibrant mood 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. His match-winning 115 not out led England to a thrilling five-wicket victory over the Test world champions in the opening game of the three-match series.

Bolstering his case to be regarded as England's greatest ever batsman, Root's fourth Test century this year took the 31-year-old into rarefied air. He passed Pakistan's Younis Khan and India's Sunil Gavaskar during his innings to become the 12th highest run-scorer in Test history. Pope's second Test century 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 doubt at times due to shoulder injuries and a lack of form. But, batting in a position he had never previously occupied for England or Surrey before