Root and Pope chatted Love Island as England stars scored brilliant hundreds

Joe Root and Ollie Pope both scored hundreds in the second Test between England and New Zealand and remained “relaxed” in the middle by talking about Love Island

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Cricket: Dean Wilson reviews the third day at Trent Bridge

Joe Root and Ollie Pope shared an excellent 187-run partnership for England in the second Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, with both players making brilliant hundreds.

Pope’s 145 was his second Test century, his first at home and his first batting at number three. Root’s 176, meanwhile, was the continuation of an outstanding run of form that has seen him make ten Test hundreds since the start of 2021.

Reflecting on his partnership with Root after the end of day three, Pope said it was “great fun” batting alongside the former captain and revealed the pair remained “relaxed” in the middle by chatting about popular ITV2 dating show Love Island.

Speaking to the BBC, Pope said: “He’s great fun to bat with. He’s obviously in the form of his life. So he’s loving his batting and I try and learn as much as I possibly can of him, whether that be at the other end or watching him on TV while we are in the changing room or wherever.

“So we keep it quite relaxed out there and talk about Love Island. Once he settled into his innings it was so good, it was such good fun.”

Moeen Ali was working with the BBC as a pundit and, when he was jokingly asked if he did the same while batting, he replied: “No! That’s the one show I do not watch. When the guys talk about it, I leave.”

Pope also described his century as “an amazing feeling”, particularly after his struggles over the winter in the Ashes. “I didn’t know exactly when but I know I’ve got the game for this level,” he added.

“It’s just about trying to be consistent as possible. A new role – batting higher up the order – can provide that opportunity. It was very special. My first home hundred.

“It was an amazing feeling. A great crowd here at Trent Bridge. It hasn’t been an easy ride over the past however long with the Ashes and whatever so it’s nice to be in that changing room and batting out there today.”