Three thoughts on NZ v England at Lord's: The Black Caps couldn't handle the pressure

Three observations from the fourth day of the first test between New Zealand and England.

1. Dealing with pressure
When Alastair Cook was gripped in a vice requiring performance when it mattered, he made 162 and helped build England's lead to 344. When New Zealand faced similar circumstances they were 21 for three by lunch before Kane Williamson, B-J Watling and Corey Anderson gave hope for a draw in the afternoon.

Similarly spinner Mark Craig's had a phenomenal start to his career but struggled to tie down an end with match figures of 46-5-173-2. Tim Southee also took his share of punishment as a pace spearhead, delivering 58-5-266-3.

The trouble is pressure is impossible to replicate without being out there. Preventative measures can only help withstand the impact to a degree. It will be a fascinating aspect as to how the New Zealanders respond at Headingley. Sacrificing a 134-run lead to lose by 124 runs must hurt.

2. Ben Stokes' all-round demolition.
The man-of-the-match put the foundations in place for English hero status. He came to the wicket on the opening day at 30 for four and made 92 off 94 balls, in the second innings he made the fastest century at Lord's in 85 balls as part of a match-changing 132-run fifth-wicket stand with Cook. Southee attempted to lure Stokes into a false shot with shorter balls and got smoked for 53 runs from six overs with the second new ball.

Stokes complemented that by taking three wickets for 38 off 11 overs in the second innings after having two catches dropped in the first.

His dismissal of key batsman Williamson, followed by McCullum first ball and the yorking of Craig were key drivers in the victory.

England's Ben Stokes, left, and James Anderson, right, celebrate taking the wicket of New Zealand's captain Brendon McCullum. Photo / AP

3. A compelling spectacle
The build-up to the start of play was a reminder of test cricket's place in English culture. Presumably New Zealand's reputation, as the third-ranked side in the world, played its part.

Queues stretched approximately 40 minutes outside the ground as fans sought 20 pound tickets. Extraordinarily it was the biggest combined crowd over five days this century. That was probably a good advertisement of the New Zealand team's pulling power, plus the fact England were trending towards victory on a bank holiday Monday.

The match produced a mesmerising conclusion to a match which had captivated throughout, and there was respect for both teams. The test ebbed and flowed spell by spell, session by session, day by day with England taking the honours on days one, four and five and New Zealand getting the best of days two and three.

Players from both teams shake hands at the end of the first test. Photo / AP