Stokes leads England to dramatic win at Lord’s

Tuesday, 26 May 2015 02:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

London (Reuters): Ben Stokes took two wickets in two balls to inspire England to victory over New Zealand by 124 runs on a pulsating final day of the first test at Lord’s on Monday.

The fiery all-rounder dismissed Kane Williamson for 27 and Brendon McCullum for a golden duck before a defiant sixth-wicket partnership of 107 between Corey Anderson and BJ Watling gave New Zealand hope of salvaging a draw.

But Mark Wood removed Watling for 59, Anderson was lbw to Joe Root for 67 and England quickly got rid of Mark Craig and Tim Southee.

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Last-wicket-pair Matt Henry and Trent Boult survived for eight overs amid mounting tension before the latter was brilliantly caught at third man by a diving Moeen Ali off Stuart Broad as the Kiwis were bowled out for 220.

New Zealand, chasing 345 for victory, collapsed to 12 for three before lunch but Williamson and Watling lifted them to 61 for three.

Stokes, who struck the fastest test century at the home of cricket on Sunday, had the obdurate Williamson caught by Root in the slips for 27 before bowling captain McCullum with a venomous delivery that cut back sharply.

Anderson survived the hat-trick ball and immediately went on the attack, hitting Stokes for two fours and a six, and he continued to play positively alongside the more circumspect Watling as New Zealand took tea on 134 for five.

Wood broke the partnership when Watling gloved a fast straight delivery to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler and Anderson was trapped by Root.

Stokes returned to bowl Craig for four with a rapid full-pitched delivery and Southee was caught and bowled by Moeen for 20.

James Anderson and Broad had ripped out the top order to give England the scent of victory before lunch.

Martin Guptill edged Anderson’s second ball of the innings to Gary Ballance at third slip.

Broad trapped Tom Latham lbw with his first delivery to reduce the touring side to nought for two and he also dismissed Ross Taylor in the same manner as New Zealand slumped to 12 for three.

Earlier, Kiwi left-armer Boult picked up the last four wickets in under an hour as England were bowled out for 478.

The hosts resumed on 429 for six and Boult had captain Alastair Cook caught by wicketkeeper Latham for 162 before bowling Broad for 10.

Moeen was lbw for 43 and Anderson was bowled for nought to give Boult figures of five for 85 in the innings and nine wickets in the match.

Speechless Cook hails ‘brilliant’ England victory

London (Reuters): England captain Alastair Cook was almost speechless with delight after his side’s 124-run victory over New Zealand in a gripping first test at Lord’s on Monday.

“It’s one of the best matches I’ve ever been involved in - a great cricket wicket, two sides that gave their all and played as good cricket as they could play,” Cook said at the presentation ceremony.

“I can’t really speak. It was just a brilliant, brilliant day.” It was a great way for England to start the summer ahead of the Ashes series against Australia following a turbulent few weeks off the pitch in which Peter Moores was sacked as coach and the Kevin Pietersen selection saga dominated headlines.

“Let’s just enjoy today and what the guys have achieved after a rocky few weeks,” said Cook who played a captain’s knock of 162 in the second innings.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was proud of his players.

“I thought we played our part in a tremendous test match,” he said.

“Great credit to England. Even when we were dominating they kept going and they played an enterprising brand of cricket.

“The game was played in a tremendous spirit too. We got over 730 runs in the test and still lost by more than 100 runs. It’s not every day that happens but we hold our heads high. It’s such a fine line between success and failure.”

Bayliss set to become England coach

(Reuters) - Australian Trevor Bayliss is set to become England coach ahead of compatriot Jason Gillespie, British media reported on Monday.

Yorkshire coach Gillespie was widely expected to get the job but new England cricket director Andrew Strauss has opted for the 52-year-old Bayliss who led Sri Lanka to the 2011 World Cup final.

“The ECB have said they’re speaking to their preferred candidate,” the 40-year-old Gillespie told Sky Sports. Sri Lankan cricket team coach Trevor Bay

“I’ve spoken to Andrew Strauss and I’m not that preferred candidate. So that’s fine.

“It would have been a good job to have, there are exciting times ahead for English cricket and it would have been a great challenge but it’s not be,” the former Australia fast bowler added.

“As I’ve said I’ve got a wonderful job with Yorkshire and with Adelaide Strikers and I’m looking forward to continuing that work.”

Bayliss has also coached Australian state side New South Wales and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

Paul Farbrace, who worked as assistant coach to Bayliss with Sri Lanka, was put in charge of the England team for the current two-test series against New Zealand after Peter Moores was sacked.

The five-match Ashes series against Australia starts on July 8.