He smashed 200 not out - his highest Test score - as England grabbed a massive 468 for the loss of six wickets in their second innings.
New Zealand now have two days to try to score an almost impossible 550 to win.
Not the only hero
Andrew Flintoff helped things along by scoring the first century of his career.
Thorpe dedicated the first double hundred of his Test career to his two children.
He said: "It was very satisfying. I dedicate a 100 to each of my children."
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