England captain Ben Stokes and predecessor Joe Root led a thrilling rally on Saturday to a dramatic end to the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s. England were 216 for five at stumps on the third day, needing just 61 more runs to reach the winning target of 277, but with no more recognized batsmen left. In what is Stokes’ first match as captain since Root, England fell for 69 for four in familiar fashion, with pacer Kyle Jamieson taking four for 49 in 20 overs.
Stokes marked his 31st birthday with 54 runs – England’s first half-century of the match – while star batsman Root, less flamboyant in style, 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, bottom of the table after winning just one of their last 17 matches in the World Test Championship table, now have a 1-0 chance to go up in this three-match series.
Before that, England great Stuart Broad A sensationalism broke out after the collapse of New Zealand Daryl Mitchell Scored a century as world Test champions, scoring 251 for four, being dismissed for 285 in his second innings.
But until then Mitchell, who made 108, and Tom Blundell (96) had shared a stand of 195 – more than either New Zealand (132) or England (141) managed in their first innings.
no-ball relief
Jamieson removed the opener alex lees (20) and Zak Crowley (nine) Ollie Pope bowled a brilliant left-arm quick, before falling cheap for the second time in the match Trent Boult,
And when Jamieson cleaned up Jonny BairstowFor a fast-paced campaign, England were 69 for four on a decent pitch and sunny conditions appear to be ideal to bat on.
Stokes would have been out for one run while playing on tow. Colin de Grandhomme After a negligent charge on the all-rounder, only to be recovered by a fractional no-ball call.
The luckless de Grandhomme later left the field with what looked like a heel injury after being pulled up in his delivery stride.
New Zealand were now lighter and left-arm spinners Ejaz PatelThe man who took all 10 of India’s wickets in his last Test in Mumbai in December saw Stokes hit a six off his second ball on Saturday.
It was a shot that was repeated by the left-hander during his 106-ball half-century.
But trying to uppercut a rising short ball from Jamieson, which left him tight for room, Stokes could only catch the wicket-keeper Blundell.
Shant and Vineet Root then completed half-centuries in 107 balls including four fours.
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.
publicized
Broad, remembered with James Anderson England’s two all-time leading Test wicket-takers were controversially left out of a series loss in the Caribbean, caught behind Mitchell and bowled to Jamieson, with de Grandhomme run out on either side of the Pope, When the batsman left his crease after an lbw appeal.
Blundell, a helpless observer as wickets fell, took his score to 96, when Anderson was dropped lbw.
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