England captain Ben Stokes was lucky as he teamed up with his predecessor Joe Root in an exciting rally at Lord’s on Saturday to set a spectacular end to the first race against New Zealand.
England were 216 out of five in the stumps on the third day, needing just 61 more runs to reach a 277 victory goal, but with no more recognized hitters to enter.
In what is Stokes’ first game as a skipper since succeeding Root, England sank familiarly to 69 by four, with Kyle Jamieson taking the top four by 49.
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Ben Stokes is distressed after being fired by Kyle Jamieson at the end of the third day at Lord’s. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
Stokes himself could have been out for one after playing against the versatile opponent Colin de Grandhomme, only to be repressed by a marginal call without the ball.
He then celebrated his 31st birthday with an attractive 54, England’s top 50 in this match, while star hitter Root was not 77 years old after close friends had put on 90 for the fifth wicket.
Goalkeeper Ben Foakes then joined Root with a new 48-ball unbeaten run.
England, behind the World Cup table after winning just one of their previous 17 matches, now have a chance to take a 1-0 lead in this three-match series.
Joe Root has England about to take the first test at Lord’s. Photo: AFPFont: AFP
Earlier, the great Englishman Stuart Broad caused a sensational collapse in New Zealand after Daryl Mitchell made a hundred when the world test champions, who had been 251 by four, were dismissed by 285.
But then Mitchell, who made 108, and Tom Blundell (96) had shared a position of 195, more than New Zealand (132) or England (141) achieved in their first innings.
Mitchell insisted the hosts would not have a job on Sunday in what is also New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum’s first game as England’s test coach.
“Morning is the hardest time to beat,” Mitchell said BBC Radio. “Hopefully, the ball will spin and give us a chance to win the game.
“We know we’re in a port of entry for their bowling players.”
– ‘Start the game’ –
Broad, meanwhile, was happy for England to return to the game.
“It’s already in play, isn’t it?” He said. “Stokesy made a very good shot and, if he was still inside, he would be close to finishing the game, but it was a great bowling of Jamieson.”
He added: “Root has been so reliable for years, calm the locker room and tomorrow (Sunday) has the key.”
Englishman Stuart Broad (L) celebrates with England Ben Stokes (R). Photo: AFPFont: AFP
Jamieson eliminated the first Alex Lees and Zak Crawley before Ollie Pope fell cheap for the second time in this match, thrown by a magnificent ball from the fast trent Boult of the left arm.
And when Jamieson cleared Jonny Bairstow, England found themselves with 69 of four on a good playing field and in sunny conditions seemingly ideal for baptism.
New Zealand was a bowling alley below when the unfortunate Grandhomme came out with a heel injury and left arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who had caught all 10 Indian ports in his last test in Bombay in December, saw Stokes sweep a six. its second installment on Saturday.
But Stokes, trying to cut a short rising ball from Jamieson that limited him in space, made a catch on goalkeeper Blundell.
The discreet Root completed a fifty-107 ball, catching one more ball to reach the goal than Stokes.
Daryl Mitchell celebrates her century on the 3rd day of the first test at Lord’s in London, England. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
New Zealand had recovered with 236 of four, a 227 lead.
Mitchell was 97 not out of the night and Blundell undefeated at 90 after meeting the troubled Black Caps at 56 for four.
The 31-year-old wasted no time in reaching his second century of testing and the first overseas, leading Broad for three from his first ball on Saturday to scoring a hundred 189 balls, including 11 of four.
After waiting 366 deliveries to grab the fifth portal, England surprisingly picked up three out of three balls.
Day 2: Kiwis embark against England | 01:45
Broad, remembered with James Anderson after the two all-time England leaders were left out of a series defeat in the Caribbean, Mitchell was trapped back and threw Jamieson on either side of Pope remaining without Grandhomme.
Blundell, a helpless observer as the wickets fell, brought his score to 96 only to fall below one hundred when he put lbw on Anderson.