Leeds (England): Ben Stokes will find himself the centre of attention when England face his native New Zealand in the second Test at Headingley on Friday. His 85-ball hundred, the fastest Test century ever scored at Lord’s in terms of balls faced, played a key role in turning the tide of the series opener, which England won by 124 runs to go 1-0 up in the two-match contest on Monday.
The 23-year-old had already helped rescue England from the depths of 30 for four in their first innings by making 92 while adding 161 with Joe Root (98). And, just for good measure, the Durham man, who came to England with his family as a 12-year-old, took three for 38 on Monday’s final day.
The first Test was notable too for a marathon innings of 162 by England captain Alastair Cook that left the opener just 32 runs shy of overtaking Essex mentor Graham Gooch’s England Test runs record of 8,900.
Captain Cook owes it all to coach gooch
England captain Alastair Cook may be on the verge of breaking Graham Gooch's England Test runs record but he insisted on Thursday that his mentor was still in a class of his own. Cook now needs just 32 more runs in the second Test at Headingley, starting on Friday, to surpass Gooch's mark of 8,900 Test runs.
"However nice it would be if I do score 30, 31 32 or whatever it is to pass the great man that won't be enough for the game. “I wouldn't be here, or anywhere near here, without Goochie's help, so it will be slightly strange if I do go past his record because without his hard work and dedication to me and my game, I wouldn't have scored half the runs I have.”
