Joe Root survives with his ton as New Zealand make inroads

New Zealand struck crucial blows late on day three of second Test to have England in trouble despite centuries from Joe Root and Rory Burns in Hamilton on Sunday. England captain Root ended his run drought with an unbeaten 114 while Burns survived on luck to post 101 but when rain ended play 16 overs early tourists were 269 for five. y trailed New Zealand by 106 with five wickets remaining and ir vision of building a healthy lead rapidly fading.

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With Root and Burns putting on 177 for third wicket, England found "bat-long" partnership y had been searching for in ir attempt to follow same recipe New Zealand used to win first Test. But from resuming day at 39 for two and taking score to 201, dismissal of Burns triggered a slump that saw Ben Stokes gone for 26 while Zak Crawley made one on debut. Root was under added pressure to t only guide England to a position of strength but also to end his own run dearth amid suggestions pressure of captaincy was affecting his form.

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To that end, he was in mood to take risks as he faced 258 deliveries in six hours to reach 99 before his century came on a surprise mistiming that saw an inside edge fly past wicketkeeper to boundary. His 17th Test hundred was his first in 15 innings since West Indies in February. Burns lead a charmed life on way to his second century when he was dropped on 10 and 19 and on 87 survived a run-out opportunity when New Zealand botched return throw.

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But two balls after reaching three figures he ambled through first single when Root called for two and although he accelerated on return leg he was a centimeter short when BJ Watling broke stumps. Stokes strayed from "bat-long" script when he replaced Burns and compiled a brisk 26 before Tim Soue extracted slight movement off wicket and found an edge for Ross Taylor to hold. Crawley's maiden Test innings only lasted six balls when he was caught behind to give Neil Wagner his first wicket. For New Zealand, Soue has taken two for 63 while Wagner and Matt Henry have a wicket each. 

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