rts Ton-up Cook holds firm against New Zealand…

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.

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.

The 30-year-old’s latest Test century — his first in England since his 130 against New Zealand at Headingley in 2013 — was especially timely after Ian Bell fell to the third ball of Sunday’s play. New Zealand had a first-innings lead of 134, with Kane Williamson making an impressive 132.

England resumed on 74 for two, 60 runs adrift, with Cook (32 not out) and Bell (29 not out). They had not added to their score when, off just the third ball of Sunday’s play, Bell, trying to drive a Tim Southee outswinger, edged high through to Tom Latham, deputising for injured wicket-keeper BJ Watling.

England, in their first match since former captain Andrew Strauss was appointed their director of cricket and with Jason Gillespie reportedly waiting in the wings to replace the sacked Peter Moores as the team’s full-time coach, now badly needed a decent stand between Cook and Root.