Stokes inspires England to victory

Christchurch-born Ben Stokes has played a central role as England completed a once highly improbable victory in the first Test by bowling New Zealand out in under three sessions at Lord's.

James Anderson must wait to become the first Englishman to 400 Test wickets, after taking only the first to move to 399 as the Kiwis were dismissed for 220 and went down by 124 runs.

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England will head to Leeds knowing they cannot lose this two-match series, thanks principally to the heroics of captain Alastair Cook (162) and the fastest ever hundred at Lord's from Stokes as they combined to overturn a 134-run first-innings deficit. 

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Stokes celebrates the big wicket of McCullum // Getty Images

They set the Kiwis a national record 345-run chase, and Stokes (3-38) helped to ensure they saw their opponents off in 67.3 of a scheduled maximum 77 overs.

Anderson, who last month overhauled Ian Botham's long-standing record as his country's most prolific Test wicket-taker, will join even more elite company the next time he strikes.

He could celebrate in any case after England closed out the win, with a spectacular catch by Moeen Ali at third man as Stuart Broad (3-50) got last man Trent Boult, despite half-centuries from Corey Anderson (67) and BJ Watling (59).

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A jubilant Stuart Broad in action on day five // Getty Images

It was England's leading wicket-taker who put the tourists in instant trouble when he had Martin Guptill edging an outswinger low to third slip off the second delivery of the innings.

Then Broad struck at the other end with more full-length swing into Tom Latham's pads to see him off lbw and make the total 0-2.

Broad soon doubled up with another lbw, Ross Taylor aiming to leg and missing to make the total 12-3.

Stoic pair Kane Williamson and Watling led a recovery by putting on 107 before Stokes took the wickets of Williamson and Brendon McCullum in successive deliveries.

A 'golden arm' bonus from Joe Root, straightening one from round the wicket to have Anderson lbw, nonetheless meant England needed only to see off three tailenders with 23 overs left - and once Stokes yorked Mark Craig, the end was nigh at last.

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McCullum was out first ball to a ripper from Stokes // Getty Images