Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

That's just Joe Root isn't it? You look up and he's already into the thirties. That ability to get going so quickly just stands out and must make you feel so relaxed as a batter.

Runs are flowing.

Joe Root punches back down the ground for a couple more, before Trent Boult goes round the wicket and hangs the ball out wide.

England's former skipper leaves it well alone. He's not getting drawn into that at the moment.

It has been a profitable five minutes for Ollie Pope.

There's a little bit of in-movement from Trent Boult and Pope whips him through mid-wicket for four more, before steering round the corner for a single.

He's up to 94. A second Test ton is one hit away.

Trent Boult, who picked up the wicket of Zak Crawley last night, will have a go from the other end.

Matt: Brilliant chat with Moeen Ali on TMS. As honest a bloke as you’ll find in cricket. What a guy.

Jack Tanner: Fascinating listening to Moeen Ali on TMS.

Rooooot.

Full from Matt Henry and Root off-drives for another boundary. He's up to 39 off 46 balls. How? It is so effortless.

The Trent Bridge crowd are loud after lunch.

Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

There's no need to throw that. Bracewell's missed the stumps by six or seven yards. That's a nice way to get from 84 to 89.

Buzzerssssss.

This will help Ollie Pope.

He pushes a single into the covers and a wild, wild, wild throw misses everyone and runs away for four.

That's five to Pope and he's up to 89.

Alison Mitchell
BBC Test Match Special

A big afternoon coming up for England, and in particular for Ollie Pope.

We're back under way at Trent Bridge.

Matt Henry will start with the ball for the tourists.

Joe Root, as we've come to expect now, settled quickly and went to lunch 35 not out from 43 balls. Does he ever not score quickly? You look away and look back and he's added 10 to his total.

He did offer New Zealand a half chance just before lunch, but it was a tough chance for Tim Southee.

England will resume their first innings in a few minutes, still trailing the Black Caps by 358 runs.

Moeen Ali
England all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

Do you think there is a chance for you to come back and play Test cricket now Brendon McCullum is the coach and Ben Stokes is the captain? Does that change things for you?

It does, yeah. He - and Stokesy - is the type of character and you, and anybody, would love to play for first of all. Even guys who have been retired a very long time.

There is just something about them. It is exciting first of all. It was great to part of that cycle of change after the 2015 World Cup and it is exciting.

Whether it happens or not, I've spoke to Baz a couple of times but I don't want to disrespect Leachy or Parky or anyone because they are playing, but I did say to Baz if there is ever a time where you have injuries or you need me then give me a call and I will come and play.

I'm not in the side at the moment and I did retire last year. I wasn't enjoying the way we were playing at that stage - we were losing a lot of games at that time and I felt like I was part of that. It felt like we needed a change. I didn't feel like I was getting into the zone of playing Test cricket.

I don't feel like I'll feel like that under the current regime. I've got to respect the game and the current changing room and the guys that are there. Leachy and Parky deserve to get a run and play. I don't want to disrespect that. It has changed but I want to let those plays.

I spoke to McCullum this morning and we did discuss Pakistan this winter. The door is always open, and yeah, I suppose I am officially unretired.

Moeen Ali
England all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

I was fascinated to hear about your relationship with Brendon McCullum - what makes him so good to work with?

I got to know him in India playing in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore. We just got on so well straight away - he is very loyal and trustworthy. He has plenty of good characteristics.

He is just a nice guy and likes having some fun and he's good to talk to about the game and life.

He loves having a good chat with you. I just felt like he was really interested in me as a person away from cricket. We've always kept in touch.

He is such a genuine person. He is very open. We were amazed by the way he played, right or wrong, but it was just amazing that he was able to do that on that stage and be so fearless and score so many runs. You have that respect for someone like that.

Moeen Ali
England all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

Who are the most difficult batters and bowlers that you have played against so far?

Steve Smith was very challenging - I just found that whatever plan I came with he was very difficult. I knew he could take me down in different ways and that was very difficult.

Misbah-ul-Haq swept me a lot and when he wanted to he hit me over my head. As a spinner it is really hard when you feel like they can sweep you and then hit you over your head.

He was brilliant at the reverse sweep.

Moeen Ali
England all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

Who are the most difficult batters and bowlers that you have played against so far?

Mitchell Starc is quite nasty to face because he's got a heavy ball but Pat Cummins is the toughest - he runs in and he is just relentless on that length. He doesn't do a lot with it but it is just the length he keeps bowling at.

I never felt like there was an issue with the short ball in county cricket, but I got out a couple of times against India against it and then every Test match, against every opposition, I found myself with a short leg and two men out. That is very difficult for every batter I think. I found that period very difficult and I had to change my technique.

White ball helped me there because it gave me a confidence taking on the pull and by the end of my Test career I was less worried about it.

I wasn't running away from the short ball, but I felt that my technique wasn't good enough to play it.

Moeen Ali
England all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

Who are the most difficult batters and bowlers that you have played against so far?

There are many, many players, particularly bowlers.

Nathan Lyon was quite difficult for me, and I know he got me out quite a lot in Australia, but it was more of a mental thing for me and something he had over me. The Ashes, or any five-match series, that is what makes Test cricket so good because when he is on top of you he just comes straight on when I come in and that is the thing about Test cricket. People don't recognise that and that is the tough thing with Test cricket. I didn't feel like he was getting me out with jaffas - he probably could have bowled underarms and he would have got me out.

How did I get rid of it? I got dropped and I never played again! That was probably the best way. He got me out at Edgbaston too and it was just so relentless. He didn't get me out once in 2015 and I actually got quite a few runs against him.

He is a very good off-spinner and he bowls a beautiful shape and is accurate. He bowled quicker in Australia and he was a very, very good bowler. His stock ball is good, particularly to left-handers.

Moeen Ali
England all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

Does it frustrate you that there are barriers for Asian cricketers and do you have any solutions at all?

It does frustrate you a little bit because there are good players out there, regardless of if they are Asian or from a different background or if they practice a faith. I don't think these things should come into it.

It is frustrating. The system, which is changing and with time it will change more, but, and I can only speak from an Asian background, we also have our own internal issues and things that we also need to develop as people.

From my own experience being a bit more disciplined to a professional and learning to be punctual, from my own experiences we can lack those.

There are some very good players out there though.

Ollie Pope has also looked really good, but has offered a couple of half chances to the slip cordon that haven't quite carried.

He reached lunch on 84, with a second Test century within touching distance.

It would be a score that would pencil the Surrey batter in for that role at three during the South Africa series in August and September, surely.

Moeen Ali
England all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

How does it feel to have hugely inspired people from ethnic backgrounds?

Initially when I set out and got picked for England I never really thought about these things at all. It was all about playing for England, doing well and trying to establish myself. As time goes on people feel like you are their role model and it was almost put on me a little bit to be honest. You kind of just learn to live it and do your best.

The most important thing for me was to perform for England and do the best for my career and other things just come from it. It is a bit of a burden but you just learn to live with it and how to deal with it.

Alex Lees looked really good as he made his maiden Test half-century, playing some gorgeous square drives.

He played a loose shot to edge to first slip to fall for 67 but he looked "every part a Test player" according to Michael Vaughan.