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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ali Martin at the Basin Reserve

Joe Root says his 153 was payback to England: ‘I owed it to the group’

Joe Root celebrates passing 150 against New Zealand on day two. ‘I’m just loving being a part of everything right now,’ he said afterwards.
Joe Root celebrates passing 150 against New Zealand on day two. ‘I’m just loving being a part of everything right now,’ he said afterwards. Photograph: Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images

Joe Root admitted he is now truly loving life without the burden of captaincy after his masterful unbeaten century helped England take control of the second Test in Wellington.

The becalmed half of a record 302-run stand with Harry Brook, Root took over the role of aggressor once the younger man fell having added only two runs to his overnight score of 184, allowing Ben Stokes to deliver another aggressive declaration at 435 for eight.

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