The intensity of the two-test series between New Zealand and England reached frenetic levels at Lord's overnight with the hosts' middle order ensuring the visitors might have to go to record lengths to secure victory on the final day.
England are 429 for six, a lead of 295. Their pluckhas guaranteed an intriguing denouement. The highest successful chase at Lord's is 344 for one by the West Indies in 1984. The next best is 282 for three by England against New Zealand in 2004.
Led by captain Alastair Cook's 153, Ben Stokes' ground record 85-ball century and Joe Root's 84, England delivered one of the most destructive displays this New Zealand bowling attack has faced. That was best exemplified by Tim Southee's concession of 53 runs from six overs with the second new ball. The plan seemed to be to pitch short because Stokes would be tempted to hook and pull in the air. He sure was, helping contribute 20, 17 and 12 off three of the six overs. Stokes' jubilation was palpable upon reaching a milestone he'd missed by eight runs on Thursday. He sprinted down the wicket with bat raised like an Olympic torchbearer doing a beep test.
England's Joe Root plays a shot off the bowling of New Zealand's Trent Boult. Photo / AP
"I got into a couple of awkward positions in the first innings," Stokes said. "So I thought if it's there I'm going to go for it and get six or caught on the line rather than it going straight up in the air. The short ball is an area where I feel I can score."
"Stokes played controlled shots," Ross Taylor said after spending the entire day at first slip. "He wasn't reckless. I shouldn't say it, but it was a good innings to watch, the crowd got behind him. I played with him at Durham and he's always been talented."
If Stokes' innings was the sugar rush on a gloomy London afternoon, Cook's was the protein. He began the day on 32 and added 121.
An off-drive boundary brought up his 27th test century, a feat which highlighted incredible concentration given the position of the game and the pressure he's faced during the saga over the national board's refusal to consider Kevin Pietersen for a recall.
Cook also added to a career theme. With seven centuries made in the third innings of a test with a first innings deficit, he joined Brian Lara and Kumar Sangakkara; Martin Crowe and Sachin Tendulkar made eight.
"He's been under plenty of pressure but the tempo of his innings was outstanding throughout the day," Taylor said.
"It was effectively a chanceless innings to put his team in a good position. The match is slightly in England's favour as a result. Cook and Stokes took the game away from us at a crucial time."
Root missed his century opportunity by hooking Matt Henry to a stationary Trent Boult at fine leg, ending a 158-run fourth-wicket partnership.
However, as a consolation he has an average of 85.88 in 10 innings at the ground, the highest of anyone to have played as many innings.
Ben Stokes, right, walks to captain Alastair Cook as he celebrates his century. Photo / AP
Darkening skies saw the ground power bill take another hit. The lights came on for almost half the day. Rain precipitated an early tea. The gloom of the atmosphere contrasted with the brightness of the cricket as England surged.
England's resilience came despite McCullum trying myriad fielding options including a mini-ring around Root from Boult. Spinner Mark Craig struggled to put pressure on due to some erratic lengths although he had a strong lbw shout against Cook on 102. A review failed to elicit a wicket. It was deemed to have hit fractionally outside the line. He had Stokes caught by Ross Taylor at slip.
Until his new ball lapse, Southee was the best of the New Zealand bowlers. He had Ian Bell caught by stand-in wicketkeeper Tom Latham with the day's third ball. It angled away in perfect symmetry as Bell committed his bat. England were 74 for three and New Zealand's advantage grew.
Boult had usurped Southee by day's end with one for 71 from 28 overs, an economical return in the circumstances. He was unlucky when Root, on seven, clipped one of his deliveries to Corey Anderson at square leg. Despite Anderson's gallant effort, replays meant doubt remained about the catch's veracity. It was a fair call, considering Root was denied a catch in similar circumstances at gully on Saturday.
Once a team's in credit in the third innings, Lord's can make the experience treacherous for their opponents.
New Zealand fans must steel themselves. In 130 tests across 131 years at the ground there have been 35 successful fourth innings chases, including New Zealand's 58 in 1999 to secure their solitary win in 16 attempts. However, only three successful chases have been in excess of 200.
Compounding this is New Zealand's failure in their last attempt chasing 239 in 2013. Stuart Broad took seven for 44 and they were dismissed for 68, their third worst total at the ground. If this New Zealand side pulls off a victory on the final day, it will further fuel the argument they are the country's greatest test side.
