NZ vs ENG | Felt like I owed a solid contribution to the group, gushes Joe Root

England cruised to a strong position against the Black Caps at the Bay Oval in the second Test on Saturday despite an early collapse on the first day. After succumbing to 21/3, the side recovered to 323 without the loss of further wickets courtesy of centuries by Harry Brook and Joe Root. The latter's innings were especially significant since the former skipper deviated from the Bazball approach and took his time for his 153 runs, facing 224 balls. It was Root's first century in seven matches, the previous one coming in July last year, thereby bringing an end to a brief lull for the 32-year-old.

"When he comes and plays as he does - if you slightly over-pitch he hits you over your head, if you miss short he goes midwicket, he'll back away and hit you through the off side - it's difficult to know where to bowl with him. When you get down the other end it just feels like there's less pressure on you, and more opportunity to get him back on strike and down the business end. I felt we had a really good understanding, we negated a few modes of dismissal by getting down the crease. We fed off each quite nicely and made it difficult for them to bowl one length for us," Root said of his compatriot.

"I think it was a brilliant call from Ben," Root said of the declaration.

"It felt like that 40 minutes before the break, the sun was out and with 40 minutes of sun, a heavy roller and 40 minutes of sun at lunch, it might have changed the wicket. It didn't work out like that, it gave a better opportunity to make the most of conditions. The way we're playing at the minute with the confidence we've got, seeing the ball move around with the No. 1 Test bowler, the two leading wicket-takers we've ever had, it just seemed a very brave and attacking option. Full credit to Ben, as you'd expect, for taking it on. He's just walked so naturally into the role, he's managing the game really well and everyone is responding to it. I just think was a brilliant call from him, it would have been very easy for us to keep going and we might not be sat here with them seven-down tonight. Credit to him, he's doing a great job," he added.