25 May 2015

Black Caps confident they can win

5:10 pm on 25 May 2015

The Black Caps are confident they can chase down a target of 300 plus runs on th final of the first cricket test against England at Lord's.

England fought back on day four to leave the match evenly poised heading into the final day.

At 429 for 6 in their second innings, England lead by 295 runs and the Black Caps must take four quick wickets on day five to set up any chance of claiming their first test win in England since 1999.

England cricket captain Alastair Cook.

England cricket captain Alastair Cook. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Alastair Cook remains unbeaten on 153 after scoring his 27th Test century while 23-year-old Christchurch-born Ben Stokes blasted the fastest ton at Lord's as England went from a position of peril to one of dominance.

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor said credit must go to the England batsmen in turning the game around and conceded the hosts had the upper hand.

However, he believed victory was not beyond the Black Caps.

England arrived on day four with backs-to-the-wall defiance apparently the best they could hope for after conceding a 134-run first-innings deficit to New Zealand.

Stokes drove brilliantly down the ground and hit 15 fours and three sixes in his 85-ball century. He was eventually out for 101.

Debutant seamer Matt Henry took 2 wickets for the Black Caps, with fellow paceman Tim Southee and spinner Mark Craig claiming one scalp each.

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