England’s new era of Test cricket under Ben Stokes

(ESPNCRICINFO) – After three madcap days to begin England’s new era of Test cricket under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, there was an air of serenity around their march to victory on the fourth morning at Lord’s. Joe Root provided the quality and the clarity to cut through the gloom, bringing up his hundred and 10,000 runs in Test cricket with the same shot, as New Zealand’s challenge – which had seemed sunk the moment they were 45 for 7 on day one – finally fell away.

Root’s century, remarkably his first in the fourth innings of a Test, formed the bulwark of a chase of 277 that had been in trouble at 69 for 4 but became increasingly comfortable as the former captain took control following Stokes’ fortune-favoured fifty on the third evening. He was ably supported by Ben Foakes during an unbroken century stand that never gave New Zealand a sniff; Foakes finished on 32 not out, having played his most important innings since a century on debut during a Man of the Series performance in Sri Lanka four years ago.

SIR Alastair Cook says Joe Root will go “miles past” his record for the number of Test runs scored by an England batter.

Root’s match-winning century in the first Test against New Zealand saw him become only the second Englishman, after Cook, to pass 10,000 runs.

Root is 2,457 behind Cook’s mark of 12,472.

“He is a pleasure to watch, the most complete England batsman I have seen,” Cook told BBC Sport.

“The person who could play the most incredible innings was Kevin Pietersen, but for the most complete batsmen in all three forms, it’s Root. His consistency is incredible.”

Anyone know when the Future Tours Programme for 2023 cycle onwards is meant to be published?

At the moment all scheduled international fixtures only run up to the end of this year

Nottinghamshire have announced that day five at Trent Bridge will be free entry. Pretty generous with a very good day in store.

New Zealand lead by 186 runs.

New Zealand lead by 227 runs.