Former England captain Joe Root’s unbroken century in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday gave his replacement Ben Stokes a victorious start to his reign with a five-wicket triumph.
Root resigned as England captain in April after a record-setting five years and 64 games in comman.
But he remains by far the team’s finest batsman, with his pivotal century at the ‘Home of Cricket’ opening the way for England’s second victory in 18 Tests and a 1-0 series lead against the reigning World Test champion
England, given 277 to win, concluded with 279 for five, with Root unbeaten on 115 (his first fourth-innings century at this level) after the hosts had fallen to 69 for four.
He had good assistance from wicketkeeper Ben Foakes (32 not out) in an unbroken partnership of 120, with the duo denying New Zealand a breakthrough when England began play on Sunday with 216 for five remaining from the previous day.
When he completed his 26th century at this level, Root became only the 14th batter and just the second Englishman to achieve 10,000 career Test runs.
Root was also the joint-youngest player to achieve 10,000 Test runs, matching the mark set by England’s former captain Alastair Cook at 31 years, 157 day
Friday resumes the series at Trent Bridge in Nottingh
Brief:
New Zealand’s first innings yielded 132 runs (M Potts 4-13, J Anderson 4-6
England’s first innings score was 141 (T Southee 4-55, T Boult 3-2
285 runs scored by New Zealand in their second innings (D Mitchell 108, T Blundell 96; M Potts 3-55, S Broad 3-7
England in their second innings, 279-5 (J Root 115 no, B Stokes 54; K Jamieson 4-7
England triumphed by five wicket
England leads the three-match series 1-0s.9)6)1)6)esam.s.ns.y.r.s.d.ds the three-match series 1-0.
