Tuesday 26 May 2015 12:33, UK
Ben Stokes admitted he “rode his luck” after smashing the fastest Test century ever recorded at Lord’s as he and Alastair Cook put England in a strong position to strike for victory over New Zealand.
In their second innings England reached 429-6 at the end of day four, a lead of 295 runs to take into Monday.
Stokes hit 15 fours and three sixes in his 85-ball century, which he reached with a single, making up for the disappointment of being dismissed for 92 in his first innings.
"We finished off really well. We're 430-6 now, quite far ahead of the game, and everyone upstairs is in a really, really good mood," Stokes said.
"I rode my luck a bit I guess with a couple of top edges but I guess you need a bit of luck to succeed. Things just went my way all day.
"I was pretty nervous when I was in the nineties again, but to get that one away was a pretty special feeling and to do it at the home of cricket as well was fantastic and it's something I'll never forget."
Cook plundered an undefeated 153 at a more circumspect pace, enjoying the sight of Stokes cutting loose before the Durham player fell for 101.
"Cooky just let me keep on going on with it," Stokes told Sky Sports 2. "I felt when I was in I'd got this far I might as well keep having a hack.
"Things paid off and I'm pretty chuffed with that."
Stokes also reminded New Zealand of the last time they faced a fourth-innings run chase at Lord's - the May 2013 clash when the Black Caps were bowled out for a lamentable 68 as Stuart Broad took seven wickets.
"I wouldn't want to say what the plans are because I don't have a clue," Stokes said of the final day in this match. "But we're in a really, really good position at the moment.
"You know that playing at Lord's you can lose wickets quickly - it happened last time here when England played New Zealand - hopefully Jimmy (Anderson) and Broady can produce something like that and we can get a win."
