April 24, 2015: Captain Alastair Cook misses his 26th century but Joe Root century puts England ahead of 74 runs. At the completion of day 3 England scored 373-6 with Ballance 77, Cook 76, Trott  59, and Root’s 118 not out.
Root scored his sixth test century with 13 fours and 2 sixes. In the slowish pitch he made his hundred in just 125 balls. Ballance half century was his fourth of his career, in 10 Tests, Gary Ballance has four hundreds and four 50s at an average of 62.53.
The fourth wicket partnership between Ballance and Root was pick of the match, they scored 165 runs together. Cook and Trott also combined well for first wicket scoring 125 runs together, the century stand between these two was the first since March 2013. Previously Cook and Nick Compton scored the opening century in Dunedin.
Hosts fought back brilliantly in the evening session taking England’s three wickets. England will start the fourth day with 74 runs lead.
