A matchless match to revive English game

At 6pm in the evening, Stuart Broad switched to bowl round the wicket. Every England fielder was set in an attacking position except for Moeen Ali, who was at third man in front of the Allen Stand. The third ball of the 68th over of the innings was short and angled across the batsman, Trent Boult, who made room to play the uppercut. The ball soared from the middle of his bat, high and long into the deep where Moeen began his sprint half-backwards, half-sideways in the direction of the committee room, the place that Sir George Allen used to sit and watch the play.

Struggling to keep up with ball's journey, Moeen elected to throw himself high to his left and go with both hands for the catch. A breathless crowd saw the moment stand still before their eyes and then watched in wonder as their hero rolled over with the ball, and the match, in his grasp. Moeen sprang to his feet, smiled the biggest smile of his extraordinary life and a near full house exploded in joy. Even Sir George would have been out of his seat for that one. Magical Moeen; memorable match.

At Lord's these past five days, a burst of sunshine has emerged from the clouds that have recently hovered over English cricket. The feel-good factor is back. Many people have played their part, not least MCC who produced a fine, firm pitch and a fast outfield to go with the other attractions that make the ground so special.

England and New Zealand contested something close to a perfect Test match, a game that swayed in the breeze of sport's unpredictability. It was clear that the players enjoyed it, though one group rather more than the other when the end result was confirmed.

Alastair Cook will not forget the occasion of his 27th hundred and the warmth with which it was celebrated. Best of all, he will wallow in the pleasure of silencing his detractors. Social media has become his enemy, used as it is to wage war. It is a quirk of criticism that those against canvass noisily while those in support keep their thoughts mainly to themselves. Cook's tactical captaincy is a work in progress, his batting is a finished article that has recovered its poise. Afterwards he was quick to mention the packed houses that charted each day's play and the loudest roar he had ever heard on a cricket field when Ben Stokes knocked over Brendon McCullum to put the seal on a sensational over.

It is unwise to exaggerate responses to every match in which England play. There is much to admire about the emerging talent and sense of purpose in this team. Equally, there are some question marks that remain a challenge for the selectors. Right now, there is a performance to applaud. It is well documented that having been put in to bat, England were 30 for 4 at midday on Thursday. It is some effort to win from there. It is a memorable effort to do so in such style.

Stokes' Botham-esque heroics were the stuff that kids dream about. There is a lesson in the type of cricket he plays for it appears untutored. As Geoffrey Boycott likes to say, he is a rough diamond that needs polishing. It might be better to leave him rough. From such edges come unlikely things. Ask Botham. It was super-smart of captain Cook and the coach, Paul Farbrace, to promote Stokes to No. 6 in the order. The subliminal messages of such a move cannot be underestimated.

A team needs all shapes and sizes, ideally it has blend of personality and possibility too. Though the old lags - Cook, James Anderson and Broad - doubtless dominate the dressing-room, Joe Root and Jos Buttler are increasingly influential voices. Root had a fine match, batting as if to the manor born and claiming the crucial wicket of Corey Anderson as England closed in. Buttler flew like a bird for a couple of catches and hit some powerful strokes in both his innings. These are natural cricketers, blessed by common sense and sound temperament. It is around them, that the future will be built.

Another man one keeps coming back to is Moeen. There is a freedom about his cricket that makes him easy to appreciate. Perhaps this comes from the outer calm that disguises an inner ambition. His strokes are beautifully unfurled and the best, or worst, of his bowling is treated with equal measure. Mind you, even he was moved to dance a jig when the ninth New Zealand wicket fell his way and then that final, marvellous catch was completed.

And so to the visitors, whose Thursday morning cheer turned to Monday evening sorrow. It has been a fine time for New Zealand cricket of late and much of that comes from a kind approach to the game. If the spirit of cricket is based on respect - for the game itself, the opponent and for yourself - McCullum's team illustrate it better than any other. There is no ugly face, no sign of unpleasant words and no hint of deceit. Instead, there is an overwhelming generosity of spirit.

England batsmen were congratulated on their achievements by firm New Zealand handshakes. Friendship was the theme of the contest, albeit with no quarter given in the heat of battle. Typically, McCullum talked about the quality of the game and brilliance of the England batting on the fourth day. He added that his own team had played its part in a tremendous advert for the five day game.

He will soon discover that more runs were scored in this Lord's Test than in any other - yes, that includes the Graham Gooch match in 1990. The ball swung, it seamed and it spun but the batsmen held sway. The clouds, like the drizzle, occasionally came and went but still the batsmen held sway. All the strokes were played, fine catches were held and others dropped. As too often in world cricket today, the spin bowling was mediocre but Moeen found a way to have an impact when it mattered and time will work in his favour.

It was a favourite Test match for any lover of the game, never mind a fan of England. The end contrasted markedly with the corresponding fixture against Sri Lanka a year ago. It was as if a great burden had been lifted from the shoulders of the English cricket. Naturally, Stokes was chosen as the Man of the Match but Cook is the man who will most remember the five days in which the tide turned in his favour and the simple pleasure of this great game returned to his soul.