Cook and Trott Out

Not a great morning so far but will reserve judgement until after NZ have batted as well.

Not a fan of Stokes' tattoos showing on his arms. Looks awful. And I'm not against tattoos per we as Mrs Colch has several. Just don't think it looks very good.
 
Actually good captaincy from Cook to move Stokes up the list. No point playing normally in these circumstances and gettting out. A counter attack was needed and that is where Stokes comes into it. Credit where it is due. It is something Prior used to do brilliantly for England.
 
Not a great morning so far but will reserve judgement until after NZ have batted as well.

Not a fan of Stokes' tattoos showing on his arms. Looks awful. And I'm not against tattoos per we as Mrs Colch has several. Just don't think it looks very good.

Freddie and KP used to have visible tattoo's when playing for England. They look fine.
 
Actually good captaincy from Cook to move Stokes up the list. No point playing normally in these circumstances and gettting out. A counter attack was needed and that is where Stokes comes into it. Credit where it is due. It is something Prior used to do brilliantly for England.

According to the beeb website:

"So apparently that batting change wasn't a deliberate move by England - Moeen Ali was batting in the nets and couldn't get his kit on in time to make it out there. Shambles doesn't do it justice - if this series is Paul Farbrace's audition for the permanent job of England coach, that's the equivalent of fluffing your first line and then tripping over part of the set."

Just about sums England up.
 
Tongo - haha. There I was giving credit for a McCullum style aggressive move and apparently it was just an accident. Ah well, maybe they will learn from this.
 
According to the beeb website:

"So apparently that batting change wasn't a deliberate move by England - Moeen Ali was batting in the nets and couldn't get his kit on in time to make it out there. Shambles doesn't do it justice - if this series is Paul Farbrace's audition for the permanent job of England coach, that's the equivalent of fluffing your first line and then tripping over part of the set."

Just about sums England up.
is n't he the guy from "Right Said Fred"?
 
So does that help put to bed the reason why Stokes plays - superb counter attack from Stokes
 
Great stuff from Stokes and Root. England needed a decent partnership but also players playing with intent rather than the catenaccio stuff of late.
 
Great innings and will keep Stokes going for a while, but needs more runs if he's going to keep a place long-term. Been rubbish since that hundred in Australia for England.

Root unlucky to miss out too. Should both have gone on and got big tons really, but both excellent innings. Need Buttler and Moeen to dig in and get a few now. Such a ridiculously long batting line-up!
 
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