Kommandozentrale » DI against Sri Lanka having replaced Alex Hales

If relief had a face, it would be that of Stephen Cook. The South Africa opener scored the second hundred of his six-Test career - which sounds pretty decent if you think about it - under immense pressure, as he sought to prove his worth in Australia. He can leave knowing that he succeeded.Cook was the last man out in South Africas second innings in Adelaide, as he made 104 out of a total of 250, having batted for over six hours. He helped South Africa set a target of 127, which Australia chased down with seven wickets to spare.Ive had a tough time the last couple of weeks, thats plain and obvious to say, Cook said after the day-night Test ended. Before the series I knew things were going to be tough. I knew the Aussies had a good bowling line-up. And I got tested. By hook or by crook, I suppose - by hook or by Cook- I managed to come through.With scores of 0, 12, 23, 11 and 40 in the previous five innings on the tour, and growing uncertainty with his footwork, Cook faced severe criticism over his technique. He spent some sessions with long-time team-mate and current South Africa batting coach Neil McKenzie working on his trigger movement but admitted he never intended to change his entire approach, especially it had served him so well for the best part of the previous decade and a half.It wasnt a pretty show but Ive never been a pretty cricketer, Cook said. I know its not classical. I know its a little bit ugly. I know I crab across the crease. Ive heard many descriptions of it. Unfortunately, this technique is the one Ive got and the one Ive used for a long time. Its gotten me so far - yes, Ill do little tweaks and try and make amendments - and by and large I stick with what Ive got and try make it work for me.I dont think Im ever going to jump onto the front foot like Ricky Ponting or move in and behind the ball like some other players. For me its about getting my game plan going and keeping my disciplines going. Cooks patience was the hallmark of his hundred, as he defended tirelessly and refused to be dislodged. He knew that the longer he hung on, the better the chance he had to make an impression on the toughest stage he has played on to date. I knew Australia is a place you can be made or broken. Im leaving with people perhaps being able to see that I can bat better than I have these last few weeks.The fight for runs was particularly tough against Mitchell Starc, who dismissed Cook in four out five innings in the series. It was difficult with angles. You dont get many left-armers who bowl 150 kph, so he had my number, Cook said. That was the battle - to get away from him and score enough runs at the other end.Cook attributed his turnaround to experience and the strong support he received from team-mates and family.There have been a lot of times in my career where Ive gone on streaks longer than this without scoring runs. The nice thing is that I never felt like I was playing that badly. I never felt like I wasnt picking up the ball or that Ive got no chance. I felt things turned around for me on this tour on a personal level [when my family arrived]. My family doesnt care whether Ive scored nought or a hundred. My little daughter looks at me the same way today as she looked at me three weeks ago. It shows you whats really important.The morning before the Adelaide Test, Cook, his wife Laura and young daughter Elianna were strolling around the Torrens river. He even took the time to cheer on some jogging journalists. At no point on the tour did Cook seem weighed down by his difficulties. 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Wholesale Shoes ChinaBen Stokes and Jos Buttler would be candidates to play in Englands Test side purely as batsmen according to head coach Trevor Bayliss.The England selectors will meet on Thursday morning to select the squad for the first Investec Test against Pakistan at Lords before it is announced later that day, and Bayliss said it would be an interesting meeting.There will definitely be one enforced change following Nick Comptons decision to take a break from the game, although he would have been dropped after a torrid series against Sri Lanka.Stokes is currently making his comeback from knee surgery by playing as a batsman for Durham after being injured in the first Test against Sri Lanka, while Buttler is seeking a Test recall having been dropped against Pakistan in the UAE.Buttler will be considered as a replacement for Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps after Bairstows inconsistent series against Sri Lanka, but Bayliss indicated that he thought him a viable option without the gloves and also suggested that Stokes did not have to be a certainty to bowl to come into consideration.From my point of view, hes in contention for a batting spot if its fit, Bayliss said of Stokes. Hes playing the next four-day game as a batsman and might, depending on how hes gone in the last few days in the nets, he might bowl some short spells. Im just saying a guy who has made plenty of runs in Test cricket already, he has to be discussed Im sure.Knowing Jos and the type of sportsman he is - whatever hes doing: darts, snooker, football, cricket - hes a game player. He could play as a bat, Im sure. He could field, he wouldnt have too many problems at all. We saw Jonny field in these one-day games and hes a very similar sportsman as well, a good athlete, and I think Jos would be the same. He played in the IPL as a fielder. I think he could handle it.Buttler has not played a first-class match since the Dubai Test against Pakistan in October, but Bayliss does not think that has to be a deciding factor into whether he returns to the line-up.Not for Jos, I dont think, the way he plays, he said. Personally I think hed be better in Test cricket if he played like hee does in the white-ball game.dddddddddddd That would be devastating, him coming in at six or seven and being able to play like that.He certainly looks like he has a lot of confidence at the moment, this series against Sri Lanka has probably been as consistent as hes played since I got here. The way he has struck the ball, the way he has carried himself, his keeping as well was pretty good, hes certainly in contention.Alongside a decision on Stokes fitness, an assessment will need to be made over James Anderson who has a stress fracture of his right shoulder blade. Anderson has resumed gentle bowling but Bayliss said it was a day-to-day process given the unusual nature of the injury. Jake Ball, who was in the squad throughout the Sri Lanka series, and has been rested from Nottinghamshires current Championship match against Lancashire, would be the favourite to replace Anderson.The batting vacancy could be filled by a straight swap of Compton for another top-order batsman, the favourite being Durhams Scott Borthwick, but if it was taken by either Stokes or Buttler it would require a reshuffle in the order which would require either Joe Root or James Vince to bat at No. 3.Bayliss reiterated his belief that Root is Englands future No. 3, but said that he thought Vince - who made a maiden international fifty in the final ODI against Sri Lanka having replaced Alex Hales - would not have a problem adjusting to the position which he holds for Hampshire in domestic cricket. Vince had a difficult start against Sri Lanka in the Tests, with 54 runs in four innings, but seems certain to retain his place.Long term, I think Root is our No. 3, Bayliss said. Rooty would have to want to do it, its a big change and hes done well at No. 4. My way of thinking is you put your best batter at No. 3. But from what Ive seen of Vince, I think he could handle No. 3 also. In a way hes a similar style of player to Rooty, a classical player, plays nice and straight, so theres no reason why he couldnt make a success of No. 3. ' ' '