‘This is the first time I’ve felt like a No 3,’ says Ollie Pope after crucial hundred

Ollie Pope is delighted after reaching his first Test century in 34 attempts. England’s new No 3 went on to score 145 before being dismissed. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Ollie Pope described himself as a player transformed by the positive outlook the England team have recently adopted, after his innings of 145 helped drag the home side towards parity in the second Test against New Zealand.

There was certainly a positive outlook for anyone with a view of the scoreboard after Pope banked his first century in 34 attempts, Joe Root made it to stumps unbeaten on 163 and England ended the day on 473 for five, exactly 80 behind.