Joe Root was simply the same but better today, according to his England Lions partner Michael Carberry, as the pair shared their second big century stand in as many attempts.

Root continued his prolific start to the season with an unbeaten 105, in a Lions total of 219 for two in reply to 285 all out, on day two against New Zealand at Grace Road.

For Carberry (77), it was a rewarding reprise of the same association this time last year when he and Root put on an unbroken 197 together for the Lions against West Indies down the M1 at Northampton.

Since then, of course, Root has graduated with flying colours to full international level - and begun the new season with three centuries in four innings.

Carberry stresses, however, that the only way the understated young Yorkshireman has changed in the intervening 12 months is by improving as a cricketer.

''He's just grown in a little bit more confidence, as you would expect, after his good time in the winter - and you can just see it through his play.

''I don't think he's changed as a person. He's a very nice lad to be around and be in his company.

''I think it's just his range of shots have come on since last year.''

Root's skills as a captain as well as a batsman were needed this morning as the Kiwis resumed their innings on 184 for three, with Hamish Rutherford unbeaten on 116.

''I think we fought back quite well,'' said Carberry.

''We were probably a little bit erratic with the ball yesterday.

''We had a chat this morning, and tried to bowl tighter lines and keep control of our lengths.

''Our reward was we picked up the wickets and made life a little bit easier for ourselves.''

It was when Carberry and Root joined forces at 19 for one, after the early loss of Varun Chopra, that the Lions began to seize control.

''He's just in great form at the moment,'' said the left-handed opener.

''Obviously when you lose an early wicket - 'Chops' got a good one early doors - I set my stall out to try to consolidate the innings and blunt the attack, and scoring got a little bit easier once you got in.

''You have to be aware they are class bowlers, and can bowl wicket-taking balls ... and you just have to be patient and pick off what you could. I think Joe and I did that quite well.''

The only regret for Carberry was that, unlike Root, he did not go on to three figures.

''As a professional, who's been around the game a long time, I've always prided myself on kicking on from 60s and 70s and making it into hundreds,'' he said.

''So I'm a little bit disappointed at maybe half a job done.

''But I guess in the circumstances of the game, I was trying to do something positive. It was just badly executed.''