London: England captain Alastair Cook led from the front with a well-made hundred as the hosts battled back in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's on Sunday. When rain led to an early tea on the fourth day, England in their second innings were 261 for four, a lead of 127 runs. Cook was 105 not out and Ben Stokes unbeaten on 22.


Alastair Cook celebrates after reaching his ton yesterday. Pic/AFP 

Together with Joe Root (84), Cook put on 158 for the fourth wicket before the Yorkshireman, for the second time this match, fell within sight of a century. This was left-handed opener Cook's second hundred in as many Tests after he ended a near two-year-wait for a Test ton with 105 against the West Indies in Barbados earlier this month.