England produced a magnificent bowling display to win the first Test against New Zealand by 124 runs.
In front of a raucous Lord’s crowd, the hosts bowled the Black Caps out for 220 with 9.3 overs left on the fifth day.
Ben Stokes took 3-38, including Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum in two balls, and Stuart Broad 3-50.
England, who were earlier bowled out for 478 to set New Zealand a target of 345, take a 1-0 lead into the final Test at Headingley starting on Friday.
It was a dramatic conclusion to a day that started with the news that England are close to appointing Trevor Bayliss as coach.
Victory completed a remarkable turnaround for Alastair Cook’s side, who had slipped to 30-4 on day one and conceded a 134-run first-innings deficit.
Ex-England batsman Ed Smith on Test Match Special |
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“It was one of the best Test matches of the modern era. Sometimes a great story needs a great ending and the look on Moeen’s face after that fantastic catch was a mixture of joy, innocence and hopefulness.” |
Perhaps more importantly, a thrilling display will do much to boost public affection for an England side who have endured 18 months of turmoil on and off the field and were playing their first Test since the sacking of coach Peter Moores.
Durham all-rounder Stokes was the catalyst on the final afternoon. Having already partnered Joe Root in the first-day fightback and blazed an 85-ball hundred on day four, his over to dismiss Williamson and McCullum was reminiscent of Andrew Flintoff in the 2005 Edgbaston Ashes Test.
Bowling with pace and hostility, Stokes twice found bounce to go past Williamson’s edge, with a third ball fended to Root at gully.
Next ball, roared in by a baying crowd, he produced a vicious inswinger to McCullum that the dangerous New Zealand captain could only jam down on to his stumps.
That twin strike echoed England’s dominant start to the innings, when Broad and James Anderson swung the ball on a full length to reduce the tourists to 12-3.
How’s stat?! |
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1,610 runs were scored in the match, a record in a Lord’s Test |
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Only once have England overturned a bigger first-innings deficit (134) to win |
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England’s first-innings deficit is the 10th biggest for a side that went on to win the game |
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New Zealand had never lost a Test after scoring 523 in the first innings |
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Victory was England’s 200th in home Tests |
From only the second delivery, Martin Guptill edged a perfect outswinger to third slip to give Anderson his 399th Test wicket.
Broad then pinned Tom Latham leg before for a golden duck and had Ross Taylor playing across the line to depart in similar fashion.
Williamson steadied in the company of BJ Watling, promoted above McCullum to number five, but after Stokes’s devastating over left the visitors 61-5, Corey Anderson arrived to counter-attack.
Clubbing through the leg side, left-hander Anderson shared 107 with the stout Watling, who had to endure a barrage of short bowling as Cook regularly shuffled his bowlers and fielders.
Both men registered half-centuries in delaying England for more than 26 overs and the chances of New Zealand surviving were increasing until Mark Wood produced a lifter that Watling edged behind to depart for 59.
Ex-England spinner Phil Tufnell on Test Match Special |
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“An amazing way to finish the Test match: number 11 backing away and caught at third man. I have loved every minute – it couldn’t have been better.” |
Soon after, Anderson was leg before to Root, leaving only the tail.
Stokes yorked Mark Craig, Moeen Ali took a return catch from Tim Southee and, when Moeen brilliantly held last man Trent Boult at third man off Broad, England had secured a fifth win in seven Tests.
Earlier, it was Boult’s swing bowling that had accounted for England’s last four wickets, after they resumed on 429-6.
Cook inside-edged behind for 162, before he had Moeen lbw for a fluent 43, and knocked over Broad and Anderson.
That left New Zealand a 77-over chase, a tantalising prospect with all results possible. As it transpired, England’s brilliance ensured victory with time to spare.
