Stokes hails 'Mr. Dependable' Root after first Test win

Ben Stokes lavished praise on Joe Root after the former England captain slammed a brilliant 115 not out to guide them to a five-wicket against New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's.

Set 277 to win, England were reduced to 69/4 before Root and Stokes (54) rescued the second innings with a 90-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Root, alongside Ben Foakes (32 not out) pulled the hosts over the line with 61 needed to win on the fourth day.

Root also became the second England batter to complete 10,000 Test runs in the process as he scored his 27th red-ball hundred.

"No-one ever really had the upper hand at any stage and I thought the way we handled the pressure in the fourth innings to chase down 270 on a pretty difficult wicket was fantastic. And obviously 'Mr Dependable', Joe Root, stood up. Scoring  and 10,000 runs -- what a player and what a man," Stokes said at the post-match presentation.

After skittling out New Zealand for 132 in the first innings, England took a slender lead after being dismissed for 141 all out in their first innings. However, Stuart Broad led the fight back in the second innings with 3-76 after Daryll Mitchell (108) and Tom Blundell (96) dominated the second day of the match.

Stokes was pleased with his team's performance in the match.

"The game ebbed and flowed throughout the whole time. Regardless of being captain, the first Test match of the summer has always got a buzz about it, but obviously it was a special week. To come away with the win obviously makes it even better," Stokes said.

Root, who stepped down from the captain's role after the series defeat in West Indies, expressed his delight playing under Stokes' leadership.

"I couldn't wish for a better person to be leading this team. It was nice to do it for Ben. The amount of times he has done it for me over the years. It is nice to do it back for him," he said.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson also praised Root's performance.

"You recognise the quality of the player and his longevity as a world-class player," he said.