ENG VS NZ, 1ST TEST
Three wickets fell in a Stuart Broad over that triggered the collapse © AFP
After a stunning day of Test cricket in London, where the three sessions on Saturday (June 4) had a little bit for everyone, England are 61 runs away from a spectacular comeback victory in the first Test at Lord’s. With Joe Root in the middle, who has gone about the job without much fuss, unbeaten on 77, England will fancy their chances of romping to victory on the fourth day. New Zealand, though, after all the hard work, will cling on to the hope of picking up the remainder of the five wickets needed for an early lead in the series.
“It’s had a bit of everything. It’s up to us as a group of players to do everything we can to get over the line, and it would be very special, but if it doesn’t work that way we step up to the plate in Nottingham,” said Stuart Broad after the day’s play. “But I’ve got a really good feeling about tomorrow. Joe Root is one of the calmest, England’s best-ever batsmen, and Foakesy I thought settled really nicely, and then it’s going to be up to the lower order to chase these runs, so it’s set up to be a brilliant morning.”
Just when it looked like New Zealand were running away with the Test following that scintillating 195-run stand between Tom Blundell and Daryll Mitchell, it was Broad who had turned the game on its head with a spell that saw three wickets fall in his over. It triggered a collapse as New Zealand lost their last six wickets for just 49 runs in 12.3 overs, with the target suddenly being a gettable 277, knocked over for 285.
England lost early wickets, reduced to 69/4 with New Zealand once again clawing their way back, but Ben Stokes – albeit with a bit of fortune after being bowled off a no-ball – and Root, steadied the ship with a 90-run stand, after which, Root put on another unbeaten 57-run stand with Ben Foakes to take England with the finish line in sight.
“We were a bit disappointed yesterday afternoon…they played really well for their runs. We knew we had to strike with the new ball because the Test match was riding on it. If New Zealand get 340-350 it’s a different game. I really enjoyed the feeling of getting the crowd going, lifting the energy in the stadium. The crowd responded brilliantly and so did the players.
“It’s been a really enjoyable Test match, (it’s) really exciting and hard to know what is going to happen from hour to hour,” said Broad. “It’s great to be coming [back] knowing either team could win. In Test cricket you’re constantly saying ‘it’s a big hour’, and I feel like we’ve said that every single hour here. The hour with Rooty and Foakesy before the new ball is going to be crucial to try and get the runs down as low as we can.
“There’s been times we’ve had to soak up pressure, but we’ve got to have a really positive mindset leading up to the new ball. The way Rooty and Stokesy played after a bit of luck with the no-ball showed the way this team want to go about it.
The fourth day could need just one session to wrap this Test up. While England will fancy their chances, New Zealand will hold onto the fact that they picked up 7-31 on the opening day of the Test. All that, however, weather permitting, with rain forecast for the day.
Source: Cricbuzz