OLLIE POPE was revived as an England player, and Joe Root continued his amazing sequence of big scores.
Pope's second Test century, two-and-a half years after his first, was a glorious vindication for captain Ben Stokes’ decision to make him England’s new No.3.
Ollie Pope scored his first century Test on Trent Bridge.
Joe Root, the incredible man who has ascended to three figures once more, will now be aiming for a double tonne tomorrow.
Root reached his 27th Test 100, his tenth since 2021, and his second in two matches since he quit the captaincy.
Root bats like a God these day, and nobody was surprised.
It was a torrent of runs as England scored a staggering 383 runs from 88 overs on Day Three of the Second Test. This is a record-breaking scoring rate of 4.35 runs per over.
Stokes and Brendon McCullum, the new coach, promised positive cricket. This was an adrenaline-fueled day of aggression.
Pope was 145, and Root was 163 not out by the end. England had reached 473-5.
They are still 80 runs short of New Zealand's first innings total, 553 all out.
Both sides will be convinced they can win, even though it has been three days of batting chaos.
It is starting to turn, which will be of interest to Jack Leach.
Alex Lees, the opener, made a valuable contribution with his 50th Test wicket, and Stokes who scored 46 runs from 33 balls.
It was the first century of Pope John Paul II north of River Thames.
His 13 previous first-class scores were at the Oval, Guildford, Southampton and Dubai.
Pope was a frenetic, jerky, and anxious figure at the crease over the past 18 months, haunted both by the Aussie quicks and Indian spinners.
His once pure technique was corrupted and lost by his head full of strange theories and a loss of confidence.
It cried out for Pope's return to the Orthodox.
With Stokes insisting Pope is second-best batting talent behind Root, he was now back as the free-flowing stylist that looked so promising in his early Test matches.
Because of his faith in Pope, the captain was recalled to No.3 and placed there, a position he never held even for Surrey.
Pope was dropped at slip 37 on Saturday night and top-edged two hook shots that flew to six.
His cover driving was amazing, and his clips through the mid-wicket were rock solid.
It was an absolute joy to see Pope driving on Pope's cover
Pope was able to reach his century with 160 balls, and was eventually caught at fine leg after he had broken the top strap of his pad while diving for a quick one.
Jonny Bairstow was quickly caught off guard, but Stokes continued to push the accelerator.
He moved down the pitch to Kyle Jamieson's first ball and dropped the ball in the crowd in front the pavilion.
Jamieson was unable to finish the over and trudged on with back pain.
Stokes lifted spinner Michael Bracewell to the other end, but then, trying another big hit, he holed out to deep middle-wicket.
Root was cut at Trent Boult on 27. He was edged by Tim Southee and dropped above his head at the second slip.
It's a tough job, but it is possible.
Skipper Ben Stokes swung his way to 46 before he was caught in the deep
Southee was slog-swept on 52 by him. The ball skied into his legside, but it fell between Tom Blundell, the wicketkeeper, and Jamieson who ran in fine leg.
Root was able to pitch another brilliant and almost faultless game at one of his most productive fields.
His hot streak of form seems unending, and he sure enjoys the freedom of being captain.
His century was achieved via an inside edge of 116 deliveries, beating his 118-ball hundred against Australia at Cardiff in 2015. It was the fastest time in his career.
Root reached 150 runs with a perfect-timed pace through mid-wicket. He will be trying to lead England tomorrow.
Many in the crowd sang a Newcastle United song, "Take your shoes off if the Root is your love."
They were holding a variety of flip-flops, trainers, and moccasins.
For company, he has Ben Foakes (24-year-old wicketkeeper)
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Foakes on nine was dropped by Will Young of Southee at deep square leg - adding to the list of fielding errors in this match.
Lees made it to his maiden fifty in the morning session. He then drove at Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell and finally caught a catch.
The Barmy Army serenaded Joe Root with chants of "Shoes Off if You Love Joe Root"
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