Is Craig is the right man to bowl to Stokes, who has something of a licence to cut loose? There is plenty to feast upon and he plays a authoritative back foot shot for four. But the rain is heavier, it is affecting the ball and the hover covers are called for.

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The first umbrellas are up, and it is not to shield from the sun. Only a few drips at the moment, and I don't mean the ones under the MCC coloured protection. Actually it is a steady drizzle, they would definitely have been off in Dickie's day.

Darren Hawkins: Nobody ever doubted Cook the batsman - it's Cook the captain which is the worry! - however he's delivered a captain's innings!

Beth Jakubowski: Thrilled for Cook. Well and truly back in the groove now. That's one of England's problems put to bed. The run machine is back.

Jon Adams: Fantastic century from Cook! Unlucky Root, but all this hard work is getting us right back in this match!

Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

"The way McCullum is using Craig and give him a go he must feel there is a couple of good deliveries in him and he wants to draw those out. But the runs are accumulating. Craig is not the picture of a guileful spin bowler. If you are going to go at fives, you need to take wickets."

Stokes is relishing this number six role isn't he? It could turn out to be a masterstroke, the way he comes in and takes on the bowlers. He's got 17 from as many balls now, sweeping Craig for his fourth boundary.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at Lord's

"Alastair Cook may not always be a popular captain, or even lead a popular team, but he is clearly a popular man. A first home Test hundred is greeted by sustained applause from the Lord's crowd, some genuine warmth towards the skipper and delight in his success. In other news, it feels like rain is coming."

Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

"This next hour and a half is going to be the Test match. We have a new ball coming, it is starting to get darker, the lights are on, a wicket has been taken. Good finish for Stokes there after the drive that drew an edge."

On the subject of lookalikes, Henry's bowling action bears quite a resemblance to Jason Gillespie, who is rumoured to be close to becoming the next England coach. Stokes has got his eye in now it is safe to say, with three successive fours, the first a little streaky past third slip but the next a sublime cover drive with the pose held for the cameras, 250 up after 74 overs.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

"That is Alastair Cook's fourth century at Lord's and third against New Zealand. It is the seventh time he has made a century with England going into a second innings with a deficit."

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Jack Cox: Well batted Alistair Cook, huge captain's innings when your team and country needed it most.

Michael Shaw: Well played Cookie, hopefully it will get some of the idiots of his back #classispermanent.

Tom Holmes: Now that that's two centuries for Cook, can we stop pretending he's not still one of the best batsmen out there?

The dulcet tones of Rod Tucker reveal that the impact was umpire's call and the ball was missing the stumps so umpire Ravi is able to breath a sigh of relief and, more importantly, so is Cook.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"It is a half-hearted sweep shot, an un-Alastair Cook shot. The redeeming feature is that the umpire has given it not out so it has to be hitting full on."

We are going to have a look here as Craig appeals for an lbw against Cook. Not out is the original verdict.

Chris Watkins: Glorious from Alastair Cook. Doubt his captaincy or pandering to ECB politics all you want, he's one of our best. Excellent.

Sally Smith: Two centuries and another two 50s in the last 4 Tests... Cook is well and truly back!

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"A very good innings. He played well this morning, but also last night. It was a tricky situation and the light wasn't good. He has got his reward here for playing really well."

Wonderful century for a delighted England skipper, his 27th in Test cricket, his fourth at Lord's. He waves his bat jubilantly towards the balcony and after all that malaise in recent months it is nice to see that beaming cherubic smile. He reached three figures in fine style with an off-drive off Henry for three.

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According to the BBC weather forecast, it should start raining at Lord's any moment now...

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"New Zealand will try to cramp Cook and keep him on tenterhooks. He just has to wait. It looks like he might get some bouncers from Henry. Cook needs to keep out of it. No hooking. England don't need another sucker wicket to fall."

Only one over for Williamson and the other spinner Craig returns. Cook takes a single but that is the only scoring in the over as Stokes, with his heavily tattooed arms, calmly plays out the rest of the over and acclimatises to conditions, which remain overcast but dry.

Maddy Raman: Why did he do that? Root looked behind him to see where the fielder was & hit it straight to him. Like catching practice.

Fi: That is stupid and unprofessional by Joe Root. It's NZ saying we know you're stupid enough to fall into this trap!

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