England captain Ben Stokes used his luck in a thrilling rally at Lord’s on Saturday, teaming up with his predecessor Joe Root to make a dramatic end to the first Test against New Zealand.
England posted 216 for five at stumps on the third day, needing just 61 more runs to reach the winning target of 277, but no more recognized batsmen were left to come.
In what is Stokes’ first as captain since Root, England were reduced to 69 for four in familiar fashion, with paceman Kyle Jamieson taking four for 49.
Stokes himself was dismissed for a run after opposing all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme, relieved only by a minor no-ball call.
He then celebrated his 31st birthday with 54 runs – England’s first half-century of the match – while star batsman Root remained unbeaten on 77 as close friends put on 90 for the fifth wicket.
Wicketkeeper Ben Fox then made an unbeaten nine off 48 balls to keep Root company.
england, under World After winning just one of their last 17 matches, the Test Championship table now stands a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Earlier, England great Stuart Broad had a sensational New Zealand collapse after Daryl Mitchell scored a century as the world Test champions, who were bowled out for 285 for 251 for four, stunned.
But by then Mitchell, who had scored 108 runs, and Tom Blundell (96) had shared a stand of 195 – more than either New Zealand (132) or England (141) in their first innings.
Mitchell insisted the hosts would finish their work on Sunday, which also marks former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum’s first match as England’s Test coach.
“The morning is the hardest time to bat,” Mitchell told BBC radio. “Hopefully the ball will move around and it will give us a chance to win the match,” he said.
“We know we are one wicket away from joining their bowlers.”
– ‘game on’ –
Broad, meanwhile, was happy that England was back in the match.
“The game’s on, isn’t it?” They said. “Stoxy played a really good innings and if he was still in, it would be close to the end of the game but it was a brilliant bowling from Jamieson.”
He added: “Root has been so reliable over the years, he calms the dressing room, and holds the key tomorrow (Sunday).”
Jamieson removed openers Alex Lees and Jack Crawley, bowling a brilliant left-arm quick Trent Boult delivery, before Ollie Pope fell cheap for the second time in the match.
And when Jamieson clean bowled Jonny Bairstow, England were 69 for four on a fine pitch and seemed ideal to bat in sunny conditions.
New Zealand were down a bowler when the unlucky de Grandhomme departed with a heel injury and left-arm spinner Ejaz Patel, who took all 10 wickets. India After taking a wicket in his last Test in Mumbai in December, Stokes hit a six off his second ball on Saturday.
But Stokes, trying to uppercut a rising short ball from Jamieson, made it tight for Roone, caught by wicketkeeper Blundell.
Vineet Root completed his half-century in 107 balls, taking one ball more to reach the landmark than Stokes.
New Zealand took a lead of 227 for four for 236 runs.
Mitchell remained unbeaten on 97 and Blundell scored 90 not out overnight.
The 31-year-old wasted no time in reaching his second Test century and maiden overseas, hitting Broad for three off his first ball on Saturday, scoring a century in 189 balls including 11 fours.
After waiting 366 balls to pick up the fifth wicket, England scored an astonishing three runs in three balls.
Broad, recalled with James Anderson, when England’s two all-time leading Test wicket-takers were controversially left out of a series loss in the Caribbean, Mitchell was caught behind and Jamieson de Grandhomme on either side of the Pope. was thrown out.
Blundell, a helpless observer as wickets fell, took his score to 96, when Anderson was dropped lbw.
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