26 May 2015 | Cricket
England captain Alastair Cook has praised the resolve of his side after playing a key role in a Test victory over New Zealand at Lord's that had looked unlikely when he found his side in trouble at 30/4 in the first session.
It's hard to sum up what we've just achieved actually because not too many people have given us a hope at the beginning of the game, said Cook
Tthat partnership between Joe Root and Ben Stokes in the first innings can't be forgotten because that dragged a bit of the initiative back and we managed to get up near 400.
Kane Williamson and New Zealand batted well to get over 500 but since then we've played incredibly well.
Cook was quick to credit Ben Stokes, the Durham all-rounder, who altered the course of the game with an 85-ball century.
I had the best seat in the house for that knock, Cook said.
It was a brilliant innings and one that defines his talent and the way he should play.
His first innings was almost better in one sense because of the situation - almost 200 runs in a Test match and striking at over 100 in crucial situations is fantastic.
We were 130 for four effectively when Ben came in and then suddenly two hours later we were 270 ahead. That took a lot of pressure off.
England now travel to Headingley for the second and final Test of the series which begins on Friday.
England squad to play New Zealand in the 2nd Investec Test Match: A Cook (c), A Lyth, G Ballance, I Bell, J Root, M Ali, B Stokes, J Buttler, S Broad, C Jordan, M Wood, J Anderson, L Plunkett