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Cook, Stokes seize initiative for England in 1st test against New Zealand

England's captain Alastair Cook, 153 not out, and Ben Stokes, 101, played the required contrasting innings on Sunday's 4th day of the 1st test against New Zealand at Lord's, to leave the home side in the driver's seat with a lead of 295 runs and four second innings wickets in hand and a day to go.

Resuming on 74-2 with Cook on 32 and Ian Bell 29, England suffered an early setback when Bell was dismissed in the first over without adding to his score to leave England 74-3 and still trailing by 60 runs.

But Cook continued to bat patiently, leading from in front, and the luckless Joe Root joined him. The pair posted 158 for the 4th wicket before Root was dismissed for 84. Root scored 98 in the first innings to help rescue England from 30-4 and truly deserved a century in this match, but lady luck was not on his side.

But England were not done. Ben Stokes trotted out next and immediately went on the attack while his skipper guarded the other end. It was the perfect foil to Cook, as England needed to force the run rate to at least open the possibility of forcing a victory.

Stokes joined his skipper in the century club in this test, with Stokes registering the fastest 100 in Lord's history, and his 2nd test century. It came in 109 mins off 139 balls with 12x4s, with Stokes adding 132 runs with Cook for the 5th wicket.

Cook in the meantime had progressed to his 27th test ton, the most by an Englishman in the history of test cricket. Cook's patience was demonstrated in the statistics. It came off 327 balls with 15x4s.

England plundered the New Zealand bowling attack on Sunday, scoring 355 runs for the loss of four wickets.

Tim Southee 2-129 and Matt Henry 2-106 came in for the batting sword of England.

Scores at stumps on day-4: England 389 and 429-6, a lead of 295 runs; New Zealand 523.



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