Stoking the Fires of Victory

England have a new hero to challenge the Aussies after Ben Stokes powered his side to an 124-run victory against New Zealand at the First Test at Lords.

The Durham all-rounder had made a memorable start to his Test career back in 2014 when he scored a maiden Test century against the Australians at Perth and his pivotal influence at Lord's will make the Aussies sit up and notice once again.

Much of the build-up for the first Test of the English summer had been consumed with Andrew Strauss refusing to select Kevin Pietersen and the continued search for a new coach.

Recent form made New Zealand the Test Series favorites

A lackluster tour to the West Indies, coupled with the fact that they were facing a New Zealand team ranked Number Three in the world and fresh from a World Cup final, made England the underdogs at the beginning of the two-Test Series.

Test debuts were awarded to opener, Adam Lyth, and bowler, Mark Wood, and the match started dubiously for England after they lost the toss on a green seaming wicket and were restricted to 30-4.

Root and Stokes 161-run partnership rescued England's first innings

Ben Stokes came together with Joe Root and they both counter-attacked with a 161-run partnership to rescue a first innings total.

Stokes finished eight runs short of a century and Root (98) also departed in the nervous 90s.

Buttler (67) and Moeen Ali (58) also put together a 100-run partnership before Buttler fell at the end of a hectic first day.

England were able to put on 35 runs at the start of Day Two before being bowled out for 389, which was at least 50 runs short of a challenging first innings total. Trent Boult was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers with 4/79.

England wicket keeper Jos Buttler takes a superb diving catch off Taylor 

The total certainly didn't look challenging when New Zealand were 148/0 but the two quick wickets of Martin Guptil (70) and Tom Latham (59) brought Ross Taylor to the wicket. Taylor seemed to be hampered by injury but ably assisted Kane Willamson to a 189-run partnership before getting out for 62 when he was superbly caught down the leg side by Buttler.

Williamson's knock of 132 comes to an end as he is caught at short leg

New Zealand captain, Brendon McCullum (42) nudged his team ahead of England and Williamson departed for 132. Wicket-keeper, BJ Watling, played with the tail for an unbeaten 61 as his team were bowled out for 523 and were 134 runs ahead.

Bell's miserable game totaled 30 runs from two knocks and two dropped catches

England's bowlers rued missed chances as Mark Wood was denied his first England wicket when he over stepped on the front foot and was penalised for a no-ball. Ian Bell dropped two catches at second slip off Stokes in what would be a forgetful game for the Warwickshire batsman.

The wickets were eventually shared around with three-apiece for Stuart Broad, Wood and Ali.

Debutant Adam Lyth is caught at slip after a flurry of boundaries

England's response didn't start well as Lyth's unlucky first innings dismissal was followed by him fishing outside off stump and edging to the slip cordon for 12. Ballance was unable to recreate his form in the Caribbean as he was out for a duck to go with his single-run score in the first innings. 

Bell was able to improve on his single run in the first innings but was dismissed on the third ball of the third day for 29.

Cook continued to play with more fluency and was ably assisted by Joe Root (84) for a 158-run partnership which brought England a slight lead of 98.

Certain players can take the game away from the opposition in a single session and can bring the fans flocking to the stands. Ben Stokes did just that on Sunday afternoon.

Captain Cook congratulates Stokes on his historic century

Cook watched on in admiration as Stokes took on the Kiwis, specifically Tim Southee, when he cut, pulled, hooked and drove the bowler around the ground. Stokes' willingness to take on the opposition endeared him to the Lords' faithful and he became the quickest player to reach a Test Match Hundred at the Home of Cricket, taking just 85 balls to reach three figures.

Stokes' aggressive stroke play has earned him many fans

England over the past 18 months have earned a reputation of being aloof from the public, with a lack of players that the casual viewer can identify with. The modern game craves entertainment value that an Andy Flintoff or a Kevin Pietersen could bring and it seems Stokes is the man to inherit the 'box-office' tag.

Cook return to form is complete as he scored his second century in two games

The momentum had firmly shifted in England's favour when Stokes was out for 101 and Cook brought up his 150 before Buttler was out for 14 with England having a lead of 292 going into the final day.

Thoughts of a declaration quickly disappeared as New Zealand wrapped up the English innings within the first hour of the day. Cook (162) and Ali (43) soon fell and England were bowled out for 478 to set the Kiwis 345 runs to win with 77 overs left in the day.

Lower ticket prices brought 20,000 spectators into Lord's for the final day

England's quest to win started in the best possible way as James Anderson and Broad got the openers out for ducks to leave the Kiwis 0-2. Taylor (12) soon departed to leave New Zealand 12-3.

Stokes was unlucky to be wicketless in the first innings but produced a spell which turned the game in England's favour once again. He had Williamson caught at slip for 27 and then produced a beautiful delivery which nipped back, cramped McCullum for room and bowled the Kiwi skipper for a golden duck.

Stokes was on a hat-trick but the 20,000 fans packed in to Lords (following a cut in ticket prices) couldn't will their hero to get another wicket from the next ball.

Wood impressed on debut and opened the door to the Kiwi tail

New Zealand seemed to be digging in for the draw with Watling (59) and Corey Anderson sharing an 107-run partnership but Cook remained patient and Wood was able to nip one away from Watling who couldn't avoid gloving a ball which reared towards his helmet.

Cook's bowling changes worked again when Root got Anderson out LBW for 67. England could now sense victory and Stokes bowled Mark Craig for 4.

Ali bowled the next ball from the other end and instantly got the wicket of Southee (20) after he was caught and bowled by the spinner.

Anderson still awaits his 400th Test Wicket

The match entered its final hour with England needing one last wicket and Cook continued to rotate his bowlers. Anderson was unable to claim his 400 Test Wicket when the ball flew through a vacant wide slip position. Cook looked to plug the gap by moving Stokes from point but the ball then flew in the air where Stokes had been the ball before.

Ali's team mates rush to celebrate his catch on the boundary

New Zealand had 58 balls remaining to survive when Broad looked to cut the angle by going around the wicket to Boult who steered the ball over the slips and down to third man. His shot got a top edge and Ali came round to take a fantastic catch by the boundary to seal the win.

Cook must be relieved to finally put the Kevin Pietersen saga to bed

The character England have shown in this game has been refreshing and Stokes attitude is much needed in a team that has too often avoided taking the initiative in the past 18 months.

New Zealand have often had the advantage in this match but have been overcome by a battling England side. The two teams, although with contrasting players, are quite evenly matched and McCullum will have to try and rally his team before the final match of the series begins on Friday at Headingley.

The England team celebrate a well-earned victory

England have won a well-earned victory but there are still improvements to be made including missed catches and Bell's lack of form.

Australian Trevor Bayliss is set to become the next England coach

The day also included the news that Trevor Bayliss is the preferred candidate to become England head coach. The coaching partnership of Bayliss and current caretaker, Paul Fairbrace, took Sri Lanka to the World Cup final and it remains to be seen whether they can bring further success to the England team.