NOTTINGHAM, England – Ollie Pope was closing in on his second check century and opener Alex Lees hit his maiden fifty as England reached 195-2 at lunch on the third day of the second check in opposition to New Zealand on Sunday.
Resuming on 90-1 after the touring aspect posted a dominant 553 due to a well-crafted 190 by Daryl Mitchell, England continued to attain runs freely at a sunny Trent Bridge to path by 358 runs on the interval.
Pope, who had taken benefit of a dropped catch to race to his half-century on the second day, was unbeaten on 84 with former captain Joe Root on 35 not out, after Lees departed following a poor shot.
Lees excelled in good batting situations as he fluently drove tempo bowler Tim Southee for 2 fours earlier than reaching his first check fifty with a 4 on the leg-side off Kyle Jamieson.
On 67, nevertheless, he chased a large supply from Matt Henry to edge it to Mitchell at slip and the fielder made no mistake having dropped the left-hander early in his innings, ending a stable second-wicket partnership of 141.
It was a disappointing finish for the 29-year-old Lees, who lasted 125 balls and hit 11 fours.
Root, whose unbeaten 115 guided England to a five-wicket win within the opening check, endured nervy moments and was fortunate to outlive after flashing at a supply from Southee who additionally dropped him within the slip cordon.
The ultimate begins at Headingley on June 23.
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