'Trying to learn as much as I can from him' - Ollie Pope on Joe Root's effect in the team

England are in a comfortable position in the second Test after a commanding batting display on day three at Trent Bridge against New Zealand. Centuries from middle-order batters Ollie Pope and Joe Root have the hosts firmly placed to match New Zealand’s tally of 553 in the first innings. Pope revealed his relief after finally getting a century in England.

After New Zealand’s marathon innings that lasted 145.3 overs, England batters responded in kind as they scored 473 runs in 114 overs at the end of the third day’s play, with Pope and Root notching up brilliant centuries. The pair added 187 runs for the third wicket before Pope’s dismissal at 145. The right-handed batter has struggled for form in red-ball cricket as his last century came more than two years ago.

The elegant stroke-maker revealed his relief after finally being among the runs and scoring a century on home soil after a few forgettable tours, especially of India and Australia.

“It hasn’t been the easiest ride over the last year or so,” Pope was quoted by Cricbuzz. “A few tough tours away didn’t play a massive amount last summer. Once I got over the line, it was a relief but I was just so happy. You have to take in those moments, which is something I’ve come to realize over the last year or so.”

‘We’re seeing England’s greatest ever’ – Pope lavishes praise on Joe Root

While Pope got back in form with his century, the former England skipper, Joe Root, continued his scintillating form as he scored at a brisk strike rate of 81.5 and was unbeaten on 163 at the end of the day’s play. Root has been a talismanic figure of the current English side and has rescued them on numerous occasions. Pope has praised the influence of the batting juggernaut and is trying to learn from him as much as he can.

“We’re seeing England’s greatest ever. You don’t want to necessarily replicate what he does but try to learn as much as I can off of him. Whether that’s him throwing balls at you for 20 minutes at the end of the session, which he’ll always happily do, and if he sees something – even from the mindset point of view, trying to pick his brains as much as I possibly can, especially while he’s in this amazing run of form,” he added.