JOEROOT has the First Test's destiny in his hands. He is under as much pressure now as when he was captain.

He can do Ben Stokes, his successor, the greatest favor by flying England over the winning line on Sunday.

Root was 77th not out and England were able to reach 216-5 in the second innings of day three of the First test. There were another 61 runs needed.

Root believed that giving up his leadership would calm his nerves, but he now knows that tension will follow him everywhere.

After struggling at 69-4, England was led by Stokes and the 31-year old after they won 277 to win.

Stokes was blessed with a lot of luck after he was bowled by no-ball, having only scored one.

READ MORE CRICKET STORIES

STOKED UP

Stokes pledges to make England "great again" as captain gives stars Lord’s free hit

No cost bets

Our bookmaker partners offer the best free bets, and sign up offers

Root and he were still giving Root the smell of victory, but Stokes left in somewhat freakish fashion for 54. Root gloated a catch behind him as he tried to take a shot at Kyle Jamieson.

Root picked up his pace after Stokes's departure, knowing that England don't have much batting behind wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.

They have already scored 56 runs for the sixth wicket.

Root is only 23 runs away of becoming the second England batter to surpass Sir Alastair Cook's 10,000 Test runs. Root could make a historic double.

SUN BINGO GET PS50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAY

It is a match that is still in balance at 70-30 in England's favor. What a boost it would give Stokes and Brendon McCullum for their first game as head coaches if England can improve on their previous win streak of just one in 17 Tests.

This was possible thanks to the Root and Stokes batting and England's bowling in the third morning. They took the final six wickets from New Zealand for 34 runs in just eight overs.

Stuart Broad was the third to bowl three of the three runs. However, Broad didn't score a third Test hat trick because Broad's middle wicket was run out.

England had a good chance of winning this match with a target of 277 on a pitch with few demons.

Alex Lees and Zak Crrawley were the Openers, reaching 31-0. There were few alarms until 6ft 8ins opener Jamieson put in a great spell.

Jamieson convinced Lees, a left-hander, to leave a ball. But it crashed into Lees' off stump.

Lees is a habitual scorer of 20s and 30s at England's top order. He should make greater contributions.

Crawley won the third slip, but not for first time. Ollie Pope was then swept by a Trent Boult beauty.

Jonny Bairstow wasn't in the mood to stay around, and he quickly grabbed three boundaries from Boult.

He tried to take another aggressive shot at Jamieson, but he was unsuccessful and his stumps were rearranged.

England were in serious trouble at 69-4. It would have been 77-5 had Colin de Grandhomme not over-stepped for the no-ball. Stokes was advancing down to the pitch and dragged on.

De Grandhomme was in absolute misery after he suffered a heel injury and limped off.

Stokes was patient and watched closely, but he did manage to get into Ajaz Patel's bowling, hitting three legside sixes in his two overs.

After a stand of 90 runs, Stokes was out and England's fate fell to Root.

The Kiwis were at 236-4, which is a lead of 227, and would have expected to increase their advantage over 300.

It all turned out well for New Zealand when Daryl Mitchell scored his century with a drive for three from Broad.

Broad was content with a quiet match, until suddenly three wickets fell in just three balls of the 84th over.

Mitchell was caught behind, and he appealed for lbw to de Grandhomme's next ball.

Although the verdict was not yet out, while he waited for his decision, the batsman wandered from his crease, and Pope threw the stumps.

De Grandhomme was out, and it was, let's just be real, a pathetic piece of cricket from the Kiwi all-rounder.

Jamieson was bowled by Broad’s next delivery. There was more to come. Broad is the proud owner of two personal hat-tricks in England, and this was a team hat trick.

Tom Blundell was out to James Anderson for 96. Matt Parkinson went the same route to Matthew Potts. Matt Parkinson took his first wicket in Test cricket, when Tim Southee edged to slip.