England's Ollie Pope on the drive. Photo: ReutersJoe Root and Ollie Pope batted England into a first-innings lead as they reached 379-5 at lunch on the fourth day of the second test against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton. It was Root's second partnership in excess of 100 runs in the innings after he combined with Rory Burns (101) in a 177-run third wicket stand that resurrected England from 24-2. Root was under pressure entering the match, having suffered a lean run of form since he became captain almost three years ago. The 28-year-old had also not achieved three figures in a te

Source: Otago Daily Times December 02, 2019 00:56 UTC