text: By Nick Hoult, in Wellington
  Two ages of Yorkshire batting blended to perfection to deliver a commanding position for England and provide a first sight of what promises to be a golden partnership for the future.
  Harry Brook’s fourth hundred of the winter and Joe Root’s first in 12 innings since July achieved a trifecta. Firstly, by rescuing England from 21 for three to 315-3 as they batted in the toughest conditions of the winter, secondly to burnish Brook’s reputation as the world game’s hottest talent and thirdly, possibly most importantly for many England followers, Root was back to playing like his old self.
  While Brook batted at a strike rate of 108, Root chugged along at 55.49 showing there are two routes to the same destination. Brook’s 184 from 169 balls was sprinkled with booming hits, Root's 101 from 182 balls was about hard graft and nous in dealing with difficult conditions.
  Brook’s 24 fours and five sixes pushed his average above 100 but it is his scoring rate of 99 as much as his runs that propels England to winning positions. He has more runs after nine Test innings (807) than anyone else in history, and has hit 20 sixes in only six Tests, which is just nine behind Root who is playing his 129th match.