Ollie Pope

England sat 331 for two at tea, still trailing New Zealand's first-innings total by 222.

The top edge landed safe and he was soon back to his imperious best, threading the ball into gaps at will as Tom Latham tried and failed to plug the gaps. He collected 10 boundaries in his first 50 runs, only getting himself into trouble when he decided to slog sweep Southee as though he were a spinner. He took the driving seat initially, allowing Pope to settle down after a couple of early nicks off Trent Boult died in front of the slip cordon.

Ollie Pope scored his second Test match hundred for England against New Zealand at Lord's, with the 24-year-old impressing in just his third innings at ...

And Vaughan is hopeful this innings "could be the one that triggers Ollie Pope into a very consistent run scorer for England". "He is a player of huge talent and one that people have spoke about highly for many years. However, the new England captain and coach combination of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have given Pope a ringing endorsement, backing him to come good at number three.

Replying to New Zealand's mammoth first innings score of 553, Pope and Lees have put England back in contention to at least force a draw.

It was the peerless Root's day and he reached 150 for the 13th time in Tests with a gorgeous flick to the boundary. 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. While the purists might have questioned the approach in a Test setting, Stokes opted for brute force as he embraced McCullum's desire for England to play with aggression at all times. Pope's innings came to an end when, in the first ball after changing his damaged pads, he mistimed a pull off Boult and was caught by the diving Matt Henry. The 24-year-old's England place has been in doubt at times due to shoulder injuries and a lack of form. 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. - 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 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. 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 a 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. 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. - 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 - England are in a 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

Alex Lees and Ollie Pope rode their luck and held their nerve as England attempted to build a worthy response to New Zealand's record total in the second ...

- England - England But their efforts so far represent a start and no more.

The hosts closed day three on 473 for five in response to the Black Caps' first-innings score of 553.

He drove, pulled and cut his way to 50 without breaking sweat – with a fingertip half-chance on 27, parried at second slip – his only moment of doubt. England scored 136 in a wicketless afternoon session, Pope adding an uppercut six off Henry to a repertoire of flashy cross-bat strokes. Root’s arrival had been a perfect release of pressure for the 24-year-old, as New Zealand poured their energy into cracking the code of how to keep him quiet in England. Lees had also left the ball well but his judgement momentarily wavered when he followed Matt Henry delivery that left to be caught behind for 67. England had started on 90 for one, with the words of batting coach Marcus Trescothick ringing in their ears. Four years after his fast-track debut against India at Lord’s, Pope finally made his first century on home soil with a knock of 145 may go down as a watershed moment.

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The draw remains a big favourite but stranger things have happened than a victory for either side. First there was a touch of Viv Richards about the way Root pulled Matt Henry for four. Thankfully for him the ball landed safely as Tom Blundell sprinted towards deep square leg where Jamieson had fatally hesitated. But this was a real statement by the ‘new’ England. Together the trio were responsible for a highly promising third day of this second Test, one when no fewer than 383 runs flowed and England showed they were not just attempting to save this game after conceding 553. It was not quite perfect.

He was handed a surprise promotion to number three this summer by the new captain-coach team of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, who backed his potential after ...

Lees reached his first 50 in an England shirt when he turned Kyle Jamieson off his pads for the ninth boundary of his innings. England, who had lost Zak Crawley in the second over of the innings, resumed on 90 for one and added 105 for one in the session. Ollie Pope was moving towards a first century on home soil as England chipped away at New Zealand’s imposing lead on day three of the second LV= Insurance Test at Trent Bridge.

Joe Root and Ollie Pope both scored excellent hundreds for England as they ended day three of the second Test against New Zealand on 475-3.

"The innings at Headingley - he probably played the innings of Test match history but he'd earned the right. After coming in to bat with 147 runs already on the board, Root picked up where he left off at Lord's and notched another stunning century. During this innings, Root also overtook Younus Khan and Sunil Gavaskar to move up to 12th on the list of all-time Test run scorers as he ended the day unbeaten on 163. At Trent Bridge, Lees continued to bat more positively than he did in the West Indies and was rewarded with a maiden Test match fifty. It was a short but sweet cameo from the skipper, who left England still trailing New Zealand by 148 runs when he got out. During the second innings at Lord's, Lees made a fluent 20 before getting bowled in a knock that captain Stokes praised as his best in an England shirt to date. After a really tough Ashes series over the winter, England will be hoping this innings is a sign that Pope has finally cracked it at Test level. It was a very entertaining knock as Stokes struck eight boundaries on his way to 46 off 33 deliveries, before mistiming a slog sweep off Michael Bracewell and getting caught by Boult. Pope's innings came to an end just five runs short of 150 when he top-edged a pull shot off Trent Boult down to Henry at fine leg. Together the pair added a brilliant 187 runs, with Root ultimately going on to make his second hundred in as many innings. After lunch, Pope reached three figures for the first time at home in Test cricket, while Root quicly raced to his half-century. Lees then went on to make his first Test match half-century, before getting caught at slip off Matt Henry for 67.

Ollie Pope said he had learnt from the "unbelievable" Joe Root after scoring his second Test hundred - and seeing his team-mate continue his staggering form ...

"It is a pleasure to watch. I have come to realise it is easier to leave the ball with it further away from you" I have played a fair bit of red-ball cricket now and it is something I am learning as I go along. Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket at stumps, Pope said: "It was awesome out there. It's not been the easiest ride over the last year or so but I've never doubted my game for Test cricket. Ollie Pope: "I had a chat with Joe Root about leaving the ball and I think my weakness was probably that fifth stump area.

Ollie Pope said a couple of tough years between Test centuries poured out in emotion when he reached three figures on day three at Trent Bridge.

You have to take in those moments, which is something I’ve come to realise over the past couple of years.” Pope, meanwhile, has found life tougher, and had not made a hundred since his first in Test cricket, in January 2020. “I was just buzzing,” he said.

Ollie Pope repaid Englands show of faith and Joe Root continued his golden run of form as their twin centuries turned the tables on New Zealand in the ...

He drove, pulled and cut his way to 50 without breaking sweat - with a fingertip half-chance on 27, parried at second slip - his only moment of doubt. Root's arrival had been a perfect release of pressure for the 24-year-old, as New Zealand poured their energy into cracking the code of how to keep him quiet in England. Lees had also left the ball well but his judgement momentarily wavered when he followed Matt Henry delivery that left to be caught behind for 67. England had started on 90 for one, with the words of batting coach Marcus Trescothick ringing in their ears. Root's unbeaten 163, meanwhile, was merely the latest impeccable knock from a player in the form of his life. Four years after his fast-track debut against India at Lord's, Pope finally made his first century on home soil with a knock of 145 may go down as a watershed moment.

With the sun shining and a flat pitch beneath his feet, he knew he would have few better chances to re-establish himself in an England shirt and, in completing ...

His reward came soon after lunch as he scurried back for two to take him to his first Test century on home soil. Pope held his nerve, though, got himself in and things began to fall into place. I just see this as a complete and utter blank canvas for this Test team going forward." And even if they believed he did, after such a challenging few months, was this really the best time to test that theory? It was just about making a decision where we see him fitting in in that batting order. Jittery or nervy would have worked just as well, Pope was frazzled and seemingly devoid of confidence.

Ollie Pope described himself as a player transformed by the positive outlook the England team have recently adopted, after his innings of 145 helped drag ...

He wants success for his teammates as much as they do themselves, and it’s a great attribute to have.” McCullum’s arrival and the bursting of Covid bubbles have massively improved the mood in England’s dressing room. In first-class cricket Pope averages 72.7 for Surrey but just 27.6 for England, a record that led him to fear he would lose his place after Brendon McCullum was appointed as Test coach. Whatever you call it, the red-ball reset or whatever, I’m loving every minute of it.”

LAWRENCE BOOTH: it was widely agreed that Ollie Pope's promotion to No 3 might have been one piece of Brendon McCullum alchemy too many.

Pope had begun to assert himself on the second evening. Of his 13 previous first-class hundreds, nine had come at The Oval and another at nearby Guildford. In Australia last winter, he was all over the place at the crease, which seemed to confirm their point. As he and Pope traded late cuts during a high-class third-wicket stand of 187 in 41 overs, it was occasionally hard to tell them apart. When Stokes took over, he made it clear he wanted Pope in his side. McCullum’s belief in Pope’s talent cannot be downplayed: the idea that he makes his charges feel 10 feet tall has quickly become a cliché of the new era.

Pope made 145 as England piled on 383 runs on day three at Trent Bridge.

“That’s allowed me to play my game and given me a bit more confidence. “It’s not been the easiest ride over the last year or so, a few tough tours away and I didn’t play a massive amount last summer, but I’ve never doubted my game for Test cricket. You have to take in those moments, which is something I’ve come to realise over the past couple of years,” he said.

With a rapid outfield, clear skies overhead and a Dukes ball that has been more docile than usual, Pope turned his overnight half-century into an unbeaten 84 ...

Lees reached his first 50 in an England shirt when he turned Kyle Jamieson off his pads for the ninth boundary of his innings. England, who had lost Zak Crawley in the second over of the innings, resumed on 90 for one and added 105 for one in the session. Ollie Pope was moving towards a first century on home soil as England chipped away at New Zealand’s imposing lead on day three of the second LV= Insurance Test at Trent Bridge.

Pope, who was somewhat surprisingly recalled as England's No.3 by the new management regime of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, admits he was ...

Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena. "When you got called-up in the past, it was amazing. "So to get the call initially I was just buzzing. Pope was quick to credit the belief the new management team have placed in him as a crucial factor behind his success. "It’s not been the easiest ride over the last year or so. "I’ve not got the numbers I’d have liked to necessarily after 24 Tests.

Pope made 145 as England piled on 383 runs on day three at Trent Bridge.

“That’s allowed me to play my game and given me a bit more confidence. “It’s not been the easiest ride over the last year or so, a few tough tours away and I didn’t play a massive amount last summer, but I’ve never doubted my game for Test cricket. You have to take in those moments, which is something I’ve come to realise over the past couple of years,” he said.

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England had started on 90 for one, with the words of batting coach Marcus Trescothick ringing in their ears. Lees had also left the ball well but his judgement momentarily wavered when he followed Matt Henry delivery that left to be caught behind for 67. Root’s unbeaten 163, meanwhile, was merely the latest impeccable knock from a player in the form of his life. Improbably, the tempo picked up again after tea. He drove, pulled and cut his way to 50 without breaking sweat – with a fingertip half-chance on 27, parried at second slip – his only moment of doubt. He was unexpectedly promoted to No 3 at the behest of new skipper Ben Stokes and, after a nervy start last week at Lord’s, grew impressively into the role here.

England sat 331 for two at tea, still trailing New Zealand's first-innings total by 222.

The top edge landed safe and he was soon back to his imperious best, threading the ball into gaps at will as Tom Latham tried and failed to plug the gaps. He collected 10 boundaries in his first 50 runs, only getting himself into trouble when he decided to slog sweep Southee as though he were a spinner. He took the driving seat initially, allowing Pope to settle down after a couple of early nicks off Trent Boult died in front of the slip cordon.