Root hits masterful century to help England defeat NZ by five wickets

Reuters

LONDON: Joe Root made a superb unbeaten century to guide England to an impressive five-wicket victory over New Zealand on a gloomy fourth morning of the first Test at Lord’s on Sunday.

Former captain Root became the 14th batsman to pass 10,000 Test runs and finished on 115 not out after sharing a sixthwicket partnership of 120 with Ben Foakes, whose 32 not out was also crucial for England to reach their victory target of 277.

New Zealand’s seamers, previously so potent through the Test, found no swing on a cold morning and failed to test the batsmen as the pair picked off the runs with little alarm after England had resumed at 216/5, needing 61 for victory.

England captain Ben Stokes celebrated victory in his first Test in charge and will be targeting a series win when the second of three matches gets underway at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Friday.

Root compiled his 26th Test century, and first in the fourth innings, a reminder of the crucial role he still has to play for the side after reluctantly resigning the captaincy this year.

Brief scores: New Zealand 132 and 285. England 141 and 279/5 (J Root 115*, B Stokes 54, K Jamieson 4/79). England won by five wickets.

Root in elite company

Joe Root is the 14th player to score 10,000 Test runs. He and Alastair Cook (12,472 runs) are the only two England players to achieve the milestone

England's 279/5 is the third highest successful run chase in Tests at Lord's. West Indies' 344/1 against England in 1984 is the highest g

Centuries Root has scored in England, the most alongside Graham Gooch, Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen. He has hit 26 Test tons