England and New Zealand played a cracker of a Test match from June 2 to June 6th. The game was tip-toeing in either side's favour as both teams got bowled out for a measly total in the first innings.
In the second innings, however, it was Joe Root, who took the game by the scruff of the neck and stamped his mark on it. Chasing 270 odd runs, the English batter hit a resolute century of 115* to win the game for the home team.
The second game started on a very different wavelength altogether. While wickets were frequent sights in the first game, fans were deprived of it in the second Test. Joe Root, once again, made a significant impact with the bat.
New Zealand started very cautiously in the second game and made a humongous 553. Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell were the best batters for the Kiwis, with scores of 190 and 106 respectively.
Coming in to bat second, the English batters played with equal caution, with Alex Lees giving a good start to the team. However, it was Ollie Pope and Joe Root who stole the show with the bat.
Pope's outstanding 145 and Root with a monstrous 163* ensured England did not crumble under the pressure of a huge total and, thus, gave a resolute answer to the Kiwis. Watching Root hit back-to-back centuries was a sight to behold for all cricket fans and the buzz it created on social media was immense.
At end of day three, England are 473-5, with Root (163) and Foakes (24) at the crease. The game might be heading towards a draw but fans seem to be pretty happy with a batting masterclass from Joe Root. Here are some tweets that summarize the reactions of fans:
Joe Root has scored 10 Test hundreds since the last century by any other member of the Fab Four 🤯 pic.twitter.com/awgIT7m0YA
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 12, 2022
Joe Root is really good at batting.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 12, 2022
Joe Root is on a different level ✨ pic.twitter.com/PDwTsTrP59
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 12, 2022
I’d like to sexually identify as Joe Root’s cover drive. pic.twitter.com/yGJCDr9kR3
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 12, 2022
Joe Root has overtaken Sunil Gavaskar in the Test run-getters list.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 12, 2022
Great to see the ovation for Joe Root on his home ground🚀
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) June 12, 2022
6th 150+ score for Joe Root in the last 22 Test matches - Peak.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 12, 2022
Joe Root is on a different bloody planet#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/wOaS46G01F
— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) June 12, 2022