England took a firm grip on the third Test against New Zealand on day two, with Joe Root scoring a magnificent 145 and Stuart Broad claiming three wickets in a devastating spell after tea.
Root's Century Anchors England's Total
Root's innings, his 30th Test century, helped England post 432 all out in their first innings. He shared a crucial 187-run partnership with Ben Stokes, who made 89, as England recovered from 96-3. Root's knock included 18 boundaries and was his second century in the series.
Broad Strikes After Tea
In response, New Zealand reached 82-2 at stumps, still 350 runs behind. Broad removed both openers, Tom Latham for 12 and Devon Conway for 24, to leave New Zealand at 41-2. Kane Williamson was unbeaten on 35, with Ross Taylor on 8. Broad finished with figures of 2-25 from 10 overs.
Earlier, England had resumed on 291-6, and Root accelerated, adding 141 runs with the lower order. He was eventually caught behind off Tim Southee, who took 4-96. New Zealand's bowling was inconsistent, with Southee and Neil Wagner sharing seven wickets but conceding runs at over four an over.
England's Dominant Position
England's total was their highest in the series so far, and they will look to push for a win to level the series 1-1. New Zealand face a tough task to avoid a follow-on, needing another 251 runs to make England bat again.
