From 30-4 on day one to a 124-run victory on day five. It has been a rollercoaster ride for England, played out as moves are made in the background to appoint a new head coach.

At 11:45 BST on Thursday morning, that head coach role looked like a poisoned chalice. Not anymore. For the first time in a long time, England can look to the future with optimism following a stunning Test match that could well have made the English public fall in love with their team again.

Speaking of budding romances...

Kev in Andover: If anyone sees my husband Dave at the cricket, can you ask him what he wants for tea tonight.

Image source, AP

England batsman James Taylor: What a way to finish an unbelievable Test match! Well played lads! Credit to the groundsman too! Proper wicket!

Ex-Wisden editor John Stern: Interesting that apart from one 'Stokesy', every other player name-checked by Cook in interview was referred to by his first name.

Ex-Cricketer magazine editor Andrew Miller: Love it. NZ were 12-3 and McCullum dropped down the order to plan "a second wave of attack". Up with this sort of thing.

England caretaker coach Paul Farbrace, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's been a great day. It's fitting that it went as long as it did. Full credit to both teams.

"I've tried not to do anything differently. The key was to make it as normal as possible for the players and they have responded to that. We encouraged the lads to play good cricket and have fun and that's what we have always tried to do. It's been a continuation of what has been going on. I got excited with a few wickets to go, but I could be forgiven for that.

"It's all very well about being a developing side but international sport is about the here and now and winning. There's a lot of good players on the fringes and the people who leave the ground today will be excited about the English cricket team."

On the possible appointment of Trevor Bayliss: "He's an old-fashioned cricket coach, who likes working in the nets. He's quiet but when he says something it counts. He's a good man who is very knowledgeable. He has experience all round the world. I want to be involved in the future, whatever the role is."

England stand-in coach Paul Farbrace: "It's been a great day it was really fitting it went as long as it did, full credit to both teams but really nice to come out on top. I've tried not to do anything differently, the key was we tried to make it as normal as possible for the players, we tried to get on, have a lot of fun and encourage the lads to play good cricket for the five days which they've done."

Chris Wanless: NZ took 20 wickets and scored over 700 runs...and still lost by over 120 runs! WHAT a Test match. WHAT entertainment.

Nick Orchard: I haven't lived in UK for 20 years. I'm often asked what I miss the most. Today I have my answer - watching Test match cricket.

Pat: Brilliant, enthralling match made all the better by exemplary sportsmanship and no unpleasant sledging. Wonderful for the game and spirit of Test cricket.

Image source, PA

Martin Tooth: We've been despondent, relieved, frustrated, nervous, encouraged, hopeful and finally jubilant. Great sporting drama.

Sue: Can't help but wonder what might have been if Moores had been sacked sooner...? Hope Farbrace stays on!

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

On Twitter: "NZ are my favourite team to watch in world cricket.... we need them here for more than two-Test series."

Ben Stokes, who scored the fastest ever Test century at Lord's and took three wickets today: "Without doubt, it's a career highlight. The whole match has been amazing. I have been striking the ball pretty well in the nets but I didn't expect that innings. It was more of a fluke.

"There's always opportunities to score with the fields Brendon sets and Lord's is a fast-scoring field. It was a lovely moment when I got two wickets in two balls today and the crowd were magnificent."

Image source, Getty Images

England captain Alastair Cook: "Thank god Mo hung on to that catch... it was never in doubt!

"My innings [162] was up there with my best. We got a little bit of luck with playing and missing but we got through that and great credit to Joe Root and then Ben Stokes played an innings of the like I've never seen before. We had a 100 lead when he came in, and when he was out two hours later it was about 270 and I'd scored 10 of them!

"Today, the way our guys bowled... we fought incredibly hard on a great cricket wicket. It's been a real team effort this week. It's been a rocky few weeks so to play with such freedom and passion, the lads are pleased with that."

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum: "At Headingley on Friday we'll continue to play like we have in this Test match. Sometimes it doesn't work out but it gives us our best chance of winning."

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum on Test Match Special: "We played a brand of cricket we wanted but England deserved their win. We're on the right road with the style of cricket were playing."

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

On Alastair Cook: "He's done brilliantly, had a great game and put a few things to bed with his batting and captaincy. He captained the side very well, rotating the bowlers."

Image source, AP

Lord's Ground: Approximately 125,000 people have attended this match. That's a record for the first Test of the summer at Lord's this century.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum: "I thought we played our part in a tremendous Test match. Great credit to England. Even when we were dominating they kept going and they played an enterprising brand of cricket. The game was played in a tremendous spirit too.

"We got over 730 runs in the Test and still lost by more than 100 runs. It's not every day that happens but we hold our heads high. It's such a fine line between success and failure.

"It was tactical for me to drop down the batting order [from five to six]. BJ Watling has done it for us before and we thought that if he could generate a partnership with Kane, the hitters like Corey Anderson and I could come in and have a realistic go at getting the target."

Alastair Cook on speculation that Australian Trevor Bayliss will be appointed England coach: "I don't quite know what's happened, it's still speculation. Whatever will be will be but let's just enjoy today and what the guys have achieved after a rocky few weeks."

Alastair Cook on Ben Stokes: "He made another massive stride in his development. To score a hundred at Lord's and the way he played in both innings was tremendous for him.

"His challenge will always be to work on his consistency but there is so much talent there and so much desire to win for England he'll only go from strength to strength. We've just got to keep backing him and he'll be a tremendous cricketer."

England batting coach Mark Ramprakash: Amazing day at Lord's! Wonderful victory for England! Great team performance.

Shaun Berkeley: What a win, makes been at work on a bank holiday all the more bearable. Roll on Friday when it all starts again.

Carl Phillips: Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Alastair Cook were splendid. One of the best Test matches I've ever seen.