England need 61 more runs to beat New Zealand in first Test as Joe Root and Ben Stokes lead fightback | Cricket News

Joe Root (77no) takes England to within 61 runs of victory over New Zealand; former captain shares fifth-wicket stand of 90 with new skipper Ben Stokes (54) after Stokes reprieved by no-ball on one – watch day four of first Test from 10.15am, Sunday, on Sky Sports Cricket

England’s victory hopes remain very much alive in the first LV= Insurance Test after Joe Root and Ben Stokes revived their side on day three of an absorbing Lord’s clash against New Zealand.

England are 216-5 in a chase of 277 and will need a further 61 runs on the fourth day to win Stokes’ first Test as captain and claim just a second victory in their last 18 matches in the longest format.

Former skipper Root (77no off 131 balls) is the key man, with Stokes (54 off 110) having departed in the final session after sharing a 90-run, fifth-wicket stand with Root to resuscitate England from a parlous position at 69-4.

Stokes thought he had been dismissed for one when he dragged a Colin de Grandhomme delivery onto his stumps – England were 76-4 at that stage – but he earned a reprieve with the New Zealand bowler having overstepped.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

England captain Ben Stokes was saved by a no-ball after chopping Colin de Grandhomme onto his stumps when he had scored just one

Stokes was later dismissed by the impressive Kyle Jamieson (4-59) but Ben Foakes (9no off 48) stuck with Root through to stumps to set up a potentially thrilling Sunday morning at the ‘Home of Cricket’.

England dragged themselves back into the game on Saturday morning by seizing six wickets for 34 runs – including three in as many balls during a thrilling Stuart Broad over – to dismiss New Zealand for 285 after the tourists had resumed on 236-4 with a healthy lead of 227.

It was very much advantage New Zealand, though, when Jamieson vaporised Alex Lees (20), Zak Crawley (9) and Jonny Bairstow, and Trent Boult (1-61) bowled a squared-up Ollie Pope (10) with a beauty.

Root and Stokes subsequently led England’s fightback but New Zealand will take confidence form the length of the hosts’ tail – Matthew Potts heading it at No 8 followed by Broad, James Anderson and Matt Parkinson.

More to follow.