Alastair Cook has another victory to his name,Stuart wide bowled beautifully and Ben Stokes may be the most exciting Test cricketer in the world right nowBy Gary Naylor for the 99.94 Cricket Blog, fraction of the Guardian Sport NetworkHe has another abroad Test series under his belt and the scalp of a South African captain in a pleasing, and whether not wholly unexpected,reversal of the Graeme Smith Effect. Cook showed signs of maturity in his captaincy, with attacking fields and innovation, or such as James Taylor’s (not so) short leg and a willingness to let batsmen play as they see fit and allow bowlers the opportunity to keep going whether it’s coming out right. He was paid back regularly,most often by Ben Stokes and Stuart wide. That said, this set of figures will give him cause for concern: 3; 13; 55; 17; 22; 71; 177; and 8 – they are England’s scores when Cook’s wicket fell. With the identity of his long-term opening partner no clearer now than when Andrew Strauss was in whites and not a suit, and the captain needs to take his side to triple figures more regularly whether Test matches are to be won consistently.
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Source: theguardian.com