England skipper Joe Root has left behind his poor form and moved ahead in style. The 28-year old knocked a double century to help England bounce back and take a 101 runs lead in the must win second Test of the ongoing series in New Zealand.
Root’s 226 runs makes him the first ever visiting skipper to knock a double century in New Zealand . At the same time, he also went on to become 4th England skipper to knock a 200 plus score in overseas Test.
Joe Root also became the part of an elite list of England captains. Len Hutton was the first England skipper to score a double century in overseas Test when he knocked 205 in 1954 during Kingston Test.
In 2015, Alastair Cook who was then England skipper has knocked 263 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
Joe Root took the crease when England were in a shaky state of affairs in their frist innings. They were reduced to 24/2 in response to New Zealand’s first innings score of 375.
THAT’S STUMPS! Williamson (37*) & Taylor (31*) see us through to the close, consider the ship steadied! See you for DAY FIVE, the final day of our series with @englandcricket 🏏
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 2, 2019
🇳🇿 CARD | https://t.co/6N136NxG6s#NZvENG #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/UHATKaHRNW
In spite of the fact that Joe Root performed when it mattered the most for England as they were undergoing a must win situation after losing the first Test in Mount Maunganui by an innings and 65 runs.
Joe Root joined forces with Rory Burns as the duo attached 177 runs for the 3rd wicket. After Burn’s dismissal for 101 runs, Joe Root followed on and achieved his double century on Monday in Hamilton.
Joe Root also put in place a crucial partnership along with wicketkeeper Olie Pope and helped England put up 476 and take a lead of 101 runs in the second Test.
England imposed more pressure on the Black Caps by sending Jeet Raval and Tom Latham back to the pavilion early. Notwithstanding that, skipper Kane Williamson and veteran Ross Taylor made it a point that there were no more stumbling block as the home team were 96/2 at the end of the day, trailing England by just 5 runs.
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