Stuart Broad played a key role with the ball as England triumphed over New Zealand in the First Investec Test Match at Lord’s.

With the Black Caps chasing an unlikely 345 to win, the Nottinghamshire fast-bowler dismissed Tom Latham and Ross Taylor with the new ball, both lbw, reducing the tourists to 12-3 after James Anderson nicked-off Martin Guptill in the opening over..

And although the Kiwis fought back hard during the afternoon session, two wickets in two balls from Ben Stokes – who had wowed the Lord’s crowd with a rapid century the previous day - kept England in the hunt with tea taken at 134-5.

Kane Williamson was the first to perish at the hands of the Durham all-rounder, caught in the slip cordon by Joe Root for 27.

With a sizeable Lord’s crowd right behind him, the 23-year-old then clean bowled Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum for a golden duck, only for BJ Watling and Corey Anderson to hold up the hosts with a defiant sixth-wicket stand of 107.

It was another product of the Durham Academy, 25-year-old fast-bowler Mark Wood, that made the crucial post-Tea breakthrough as Watling was caught behind by Jos Buttler for 59.

Anderson was now the prized New Zealand wicket and – although eyebrows were raised by Cook persevering with Root’s part-time spin - the vice-captain more than vindicated the decision by trapping the Kiwi all-rounder lbw for 67.

Stokes cashed-in on the opening by flattening Mark Craig’s off-stump for 4 and – with Moeen Ali clutching a caught and bowled catch to dismiss Tim Southee for 20 – England had over 17 overs to secure their final match-winning pole.

Seven wicket-less overs caused nerves to jangle before the return of Broad brought the decisive breakthrough - Ali taking a fine catch at third-man after Boult (10) flapped at a well directed bouncer. The Nottinghamshire man finished with 3-50 from 16.3 overs, completing match figures of 6-127.

England were earlier bowled out for 478 in their second innings, Cook having finally perished – following 540 minutes and 345 balls of batting, for 162 – after feathering a Trent Boult delivery through to wicketkeeper Latham.

Boult earned a place on the Lord’s honours board by securing figures of 5-86, while Moeen Ali contributed 43 from his lowly position of eight in the order.

England, who fell one wicket short of victory having set Sri Lanka an ultra-conservative 390 at the same venue last season, were this time left with 77 overs to take ten wickets.  

This time, with Nottinghamshire teenager Luke Wood performing 12th man duties and spending time on as a substitute fielder, it proved to be more than enough.

 

Trent Bridge hosts the fourth Royal London One-Day International between England and New Zealand on Wednesday 17 June. Don't miss the chance to watch England seek redemption against the Kiwis and secure your seat now.