• Former skipper Joe Root led England's fightback on Day 3 of the Lord's Test against New Zealand.

  • The hosts need 61 runs to win the contest with five wickets in hand.

Twitter reactions: Joe Root stands tall as England inch closer to win over New Zealand in Lords Test
Joe Root leads England fightback in Lord's Test (Image Source: Twitter)

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The rip-roaring contest between England and New Zealand in the ongoing first Test at Lords Cricket Ground has reached its concluding stage, with the hosts eyeing a crucial victory. In their fourth innings chase of 277, England have managed to post 216/5 at the end of Day 3, thanks to inspiring contributions from skipper Ben Stokes and former captain Joe Root.

The home team was, however, in a spot of bother, losing their four wickets for just 69 inside the 20 overs, courtesy of Kyle Jamieson’s dominating spell. The right-armer dismissed three out of the first four English wickets in the form of openers Alex Lees (20), Zak Crawley (9) and middle-order batter Jonny Bairstow (16).

As the visitors were eyeing further to capitalise, the experienced duo of Stokes and Root took charge to bail England out of hot waters. The pair went on to form a crucial partnership of 90 runs for the fifth wicket to put the hosts in the front seat in their chase. The vital stand was broken by none other than Jamieson, who bagged his fourth wicket when he removed captain Stokes for a well-made 54 to reduce England to 159/5.

Though, Root kept his stand alive and continued the momentum from one end. The right-handed batter smashed his 54th Test half-century and stitched an unbeaten 57-run stand for the sixth wicket with Ben Foakes (9 not out) to fancy England’s chances of winning the contest heading into Day 4 of the match. Root stood undefeated at 77 off 131 balls as England ended the third day with 216/5 on the board and needed only 61 runs to win the three-match series opener.

Earlier, English bowling sensation Stuart Broad shined with the ball and inspired a New Zealand collapse after Daryl Mitchell smashed a hundred as the World Test champions, who were at one stage looking comfortable with 251/4, were eventually bundled out for 285 in their second innings.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

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