New Zealand vs England: Harry Brook and Ollie Pope rebuild tourists in Christchurch

Despite all the lingering questions about England’s bazballing approach to batting, Brook-Pope’s stance was a backlash when he was needed most. They rattled along at almost five in the morning.

There was luck, even without the missed opportunities. Pope needed time to compose himself, both men cutting through and over the slips. Brooks let-offs occurred on the 18th, 41st, 70th and 106th.

Had Phillips, on the edge off debutant Nathan Smith’s bowling, saved Brooks’ first offer, England would have been 77-5. The next two drops, Latham at Smith’s slip and Devon Conway at deep mid-wicket off Phillips, were borderline ridiculous.

Brook completed 2,000 Test runs in his 36th innings. Only the great Herbert Sutcliffe got there quicker for England. Paradoxically, Pope’s exploits at number six will only increase the question of whether he should be England’s number three.

Given his shaky year and the lives given to Brook, Pope must have been cursing his luck for falling victim to Phillips’ gravity-defying brilliance. Even Brook gave him a comforting pat along the way.

Brook, who had already hit two sixes, hit Southee for four and then hit the same bowler to reach his seventh Test ton. Then came the final miss, a shot from Will O’Rourke down the leg side that was parried by goalkeeper Tom Blundell. There were leg-byes, but a review would have confirmed bat.