When Ian Bell trudged off after the third ball of the day, who would have predicted it ending like this? Take a bow Cook, Root and Stokes. They kept New Zealand at bay, turned the tide and then took the game to the tourists.

Cook was coolness personified, Root his classy self and Stokes brutally brilliant. They have put England in charge and with a chance of pushing for the unlikeliest of victories. On top of that, Alastair Cook is 41 runs away from becoming England's leading run-scorer in Test cricket.

How can you possibly miss day five? We'll see you again tomorrow at 10:30 BST.

Image source, AP

HarlowSSP: Great day of 'traditional' test cricket; no sledging, gamesmanship, mention of KP, controversy or silly send offs!

Ben Stokes on England's possible declaration: "We haven't spoken about it. wouldn't want to say what the plans are because I don't have a clue. Hopefully we can bat on tomorrow and stick them in."

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"When Cook does his sums he's got 90 overs. If he takes 30 overs to bat, that's all they'll bowl before lunch, and gets another 100 runs they're going to be 400 on, so that's 400 in 60 overs. He daren't leave them less with McCullum. I don't think he's going to give them much of a chance."

Image source, AFP

England centurion Ben Stokes on playing entertaining cricket: "The number one goal is to win games of cricket.

"But the guys upstairs are all very positive and entertaining cricketers. So when guys like Gaz, Rooty and Jos get in, expect to see some fireworks."

Image source, PA

Whether England declare or not on Monday, New Zealand face a stiff test if they are to win this Test, given that only one side have chased more than 282 for victory in the fourth innings...

• 344-1: West Indies v England, 1984

• 282-3: England v New Zealand, 2004

• 218-3: England v New Zealand, 1965

• 193-5: England v West Indies, 2012

• 191-8: England v West Indies, 2000

More from Ben Stokes on TMS: "It is a great day personally but more importantly we are in a good position as a team. I got close in the first innings and was nervous but to get over the line was brilliant."

On batting at six: "It is somewhere I want to be and capitalise on the opportunity I have. I have started well, hopefully that can continue. You can't live on what has happened in this Test, I have to deliver every time.

"I think it is just another game of cricket. The things I've done for Durham have got me here so I don't think I need to change anything. I back myself.

"The middle order is very positive. Rooty [Joe Root] is always scoring 60 or 70 per 100 balls. I like to play like that, so do Mo [Moeen Ali] and Jossy [Jos Buttler]. No one puts pressure on us."

Image source, Reuters

Matthew Clark: Criticism of Cook is crazy. 'Didn't score quickly at the end'. He's anchored all innings and made 150, allowing others to play.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I'd like to see Cook turn to Stokes as first change bowler rather than always see him as the fourth seamer. We might now see him blossom as a bowler after 90 and a hundred with the bat."

Ben Stokes, who scored 101 in 92 balls, on Sky Sports: "We're ahead of the game and every one in the dressing room is in a really good mood.

"It was good. I rode my luck a little bit but you need a little bit to succeed. Things just went my way all day.

"I was pretty nervous when I was in the nineties again but to get that one away was a pretty special feeling, and to do it at Home of cricket was fantastic - and something I'll never forget.

"I felt I've got this far, I might as well keep having a hack. Things paid off."

Image source, Reuters

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"When you can bat and bowl, a la Botham, it frees up your mind, you're not totally dependent on one. Stokes didn't do anything daft, when the ball was up he hit it. He expressed himself and if you can get a proper all-rounder it gives the team the opportunity to play another bowler. It gives you options which we haven't always had."

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Tricky little decision for Cook perhaps, when to declare. They'll surely have a chat about that over a bit of dinner tonight but what a fantastic day ahead."

Image source, PA

Matt: It may not come down to a declaration. NZ still a very good bowling outfit that could come back refreshed tomorrow and knock England over.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"Cook and Root played beautifully. Cook is in top form, he is meeting the ball late and the ball is going to mid-on and mid-off with a full face of the bat. He played that period of 40 minutes when it was tough and they were coming at them very well. Root is almost in too good form, and they fought off the challenge of the new ball. Once they got through that it looked easy."

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Smith: Just love the way the New Zealanders play their cricket - positive, talented and very sporting.

Image source, Getty Images

Reidar Vasband: Cook, great batsman no doubt but rubbish captain; 24 runs off the last 10 overs today after having our foot on their throats!

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"It was an uplifting day for English cricket, for the team, for the captain, everyone. They could have gone under today. There have been times when the opposition seamers would have nipped a couple out and it would have been an England loss."

England 429-6 (118 overs) - lead by 295 runs

Batsmen: Cook 153*, Moeen 19*

Fall of wickets: 14-1 (Lyth 12), 25-2 (Ballance 0), 74-3 (Bell 29) 232-4 (Root 84), 364-5 (Stokes 101), 389-6 (Buttler 14)

Bowling figures: Boult 28-5-71-1, Southee 29-4-129-2, Henry 21-3-79-1, Craig 29-3-106-2, Anderson 3-0-13-0, Williamson 1-0-2-0

First innings: England 389; NZ 523

Full scorecard

Nick barham: The fact that we are even raising possibility of declaration shows what a great day England have had!

Andy Kinrade: Well done Captain Cook. A bona fide Captain's knock.

Matthew Clark: England's day, almost 300 ahead. Stokes terrific but Cook the star for batting all day as anchor.

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Every single New Zealand player went up and shook Cook's hand."