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Stokes and Root leave New Zealand opener on a knife edge

England captain Ben Stokes and predecessor Joe Root led a thrilling rally on Saturday to set up a dramatic finish to the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's.

England were 216 for five at stumps on the third day, needing just 61 more runs to reach a victory target of 277 but with no more recognised batsmen left to come in.

In what is Stokes' first match as skipper since succeeding Root, England collapsed in familiar fashion to be 69 for four, with towering paceman Kyle Jamieson taking four for 49 in 20 overs.

Stokes marked his 31st birthday with a dashing 54 -- England's first fifty of this match -- while star batsman Root, less flamboyant in style, was 77 not out at stumps after the close friends had put on 90 for the fifth wicket.

Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes then kept Root company with an unbeaten nine off 48 balls.

England, bottom of the World Test Championship table after winning just one of their previous 17 matches, now have a chance of going 1-0 up in this three-match series.

Earlier, England great Stuart Broad sparked a sensational New Zealand collapse after Daryl Mitchell made a hundred as the World Test champions, who had been 251 for four, were dismissed for 285 in their second innings.

But by then Mitchell, who made 108, and Tom Blundell (96) had shared a stand of 195 -- more than either New Zealand (132) or England (141) managed in their first innings.

Jamieson removed openers Alex Lees (20) and Zak Crawley (nine) before Ollie Pope fell cheaply for the second time this match, bowled by a superb ball from left-arm quick Trent Boult.

And when Jamieson cleaned up Jonny Bairstow, going for a booming drive, England were reeling at 69 for four on a good pitch and in sunny conditions seemingly ideal for batting.

Stokes might

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