LONDON: England’s middle-order batter Joe Root displayed grit as he scored a magnificent century to help his side blunt New Zealand by five wickets in the Lord’s Test of the ongoing series.

In a match, mostly dominated by the bowlers, Root had to fight hard for his century and he did so to amass triple figures 26th time in Test cricket.

The home side resumed their run chase on 216/5, needing another 61 runs before Root put on a brilliant unbeaten partnership with Ben Foakes and made sure the side does not falter.

Root remained unbeaten with his astounding knock of 115 runs and smashed 12 boundaries. Foakes, on the other hand, also chipped with 32 not-out with the help of three boundaries.

With his impressive knock in the Lord’s Test, Root has also completed 10,000 runs in Test cricket; becoming just the 14th overall and the second Englishman to achieve the milestone.

England’s newly-appointed Test captain Ben Stokes, who started his new role with a victory also assisted his team in the run chase as he scored a brilliant half-century; putting on an important 90-run partnership for the fifth wicket. He remained the second top-scorer behind Root, with his 54 off 110 deliveries.

For New Zealand, Kyle Jamieson starred with four wickets, while Trent Boult managed to bag a wicket.

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