The Christchurch born England all-rounder Ben Stokes says this morning's first test win over New Zealand at Lord's was the best game of cricket he's ever been involved in and one he'll never forget.
The England all-rounder Ben Stokes (centre) celebrates their test win over New Zealand at Lord's with his team-mates. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The hosts beat the Black Caps by 124 runs on the fifth and final day, with 23-year-old Stokes taking three wickets.
New Zealand, set 345 to win, were dismissed for 220 as England went 1-0 up in the two-match series ahead of the second Test in Leeds which starts on Friday night.
Man-of-the-match Stokes took two wickets in two balls to claim the crucial scalps of Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum, with the Black Caps skipper out for a golden duck.
"Absolutely amazing it's the best game of cricket I've been involved in."
"To be a part of something like that at such a great cricket ground like Lord's is absolutely fantastic and something that I'll never ever forget."
"It was one of those games of cricket that I personally won't have for a long long time so I've just got to try and live in the moment and not look too far ahead."
Stokes smashed the fastest ever century at Lord's yesterday on day four, reaching his ton off just 85 balls and also scored 92 in England's first innings.
The New Zealand born all-rounder Ben Stokes was the chief architect of the Black Caps demise as England completed a remarkable comeback to beat New Zealand by 124 runs in the first cricket Test at Lord's.
New Zealand, set 345 to win on the fifth and final day, were dismissed for 220 as England went 1-0 up in the two-match series ahead of the second Test in Leeds which starts on Friday night.
New Zealand, who had earlier collapsed to 12 for 3, were again in dire straits at 61 for 5 after man-of-the-match Stokes had taken two wickets in two balls.
The Christchurch born 23-year-old says it's the highlight of his career.
"Yeah without a doubt the whole game in itself was pretty special, the game kept on switching momentum from side to side and the crowd throughout the whole five days was fantastic especially today."
Stokes smashed the fastest ever century at Lord's on day four, reaching his ton off just 85 balls and also scored a sparkling 92 in the first innings.
The gritty BJ Watling, whose 59 was his second fifty of the match, and the dashing Corey Anderson, who scored 75, kept England at bay during a sixth-wicket stand of 107.
However, both batsmen fell in quick succession to leave New Zealand 174 for 7.
New Zealand were rocked from the outset of their second innings, losing openers Martin Guptill and Tom Latham for ducks without a run on the board in a match where, for the most part, they had been on top.
For New Zealand, it was all starting to become horribly reminiscent of their last Test at Lord's, in 2013, when they slumped to 68 all out chasing 239.
The collapse continued when Broad, who took a Test-best 7-44 against New Zealand at Lord's two years ago, had Ross Taylor plumb lbw for eight.
New Zealand took the score on to 61 before Stokes struck twice in two balls.
Kane Williamson, who made 132 in the first innings, fell for 27 when he guided Stokes to Joe Root in the gully.
And next ball New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum played on to a Stokes inswinger to be gone for a golden duck.
Given a roar by the crowd worthy of Ian Botham or Andrew Flintoff, Stokes, the son of former Kiwi rugby league international Ged Stokes who came to England as a 12-year-old, charged in again.
But Anderson survived the hat-trick delivery, allowing the ball to pass his stumps.
Watling was removed when he gloved debutant fast bowler Mark Wood through to wicket-keeper Jos Buttler, before part-time offspinner Root trapped dangerman Anderson lbw and the final three wickets fell cheaply.
For England, without a permanent head coach following the sacking of Peter Moores and coming off the back of a disappointing 1-1 series draw in the West Indies, this was just the morale boost they needed.
