Be brave in everything you do – England skipper Ben Stokes will keep attacking
England captain Ben Stokes has vowed to keep swinging for the fences against South Africa, insisting the day has not yet arrived to “mellow down”.
Brendon Maccullum Sport News
Is England vs South Africa on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch second cricket Test online
England and South Africa resume their battle at Old Trafford on Thursday as the hosts look to make amends for a disappointing defeat at Lord’s last week.
England recall Robinson at expense of Potts for second Proteas Test
Ollie Robinson, who last played for England in the final Ashes Test in January, has been recalled for the second Test with South Africa as the hosts bid to level the three match series.
2nd Test: England vow to stick with 'Bazball' in bid to level South Africa series
The hosts have arrived at Manchester's Old Trafford 1-0 down in a three-match series following a chastening innings-and-12-run defeat inside three days by the Proteas at Lord's last week. That was their first defeat under the new leadership duo of Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum following a run of four successive wins with an aggressive approach dubbed 'Bazball', characterised by attacking batting that saw England chase down stiff fourth innings targets against New Zealand and India during the past two months. England, however, had no answer to a formidable South Africa pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada at Lord's, where they were dismissed for just 165 and 149 in their two innings, although a lack of domestic red-ball cricket since last month's win over India, was arguably more responsible than 'Bazball' for a clatter of wickets. And a rare double failure by Joe Root meant England have not won a Test when the star batsman has not made a fifty for more than two years.
England vow to stick with 'Bazball' in bid to level South Africa series
England captain Ben Stokes has insisted there will be no let-up in the team's attacking approach as they look to bounce back in the second Test against South Africa starting on Thursday.
PREVIEW - Clash between ‘Bazball’ and South African seamers sets up intriguing showdown
MANCHESTER, England : Despite suffering an innings defeat in the opening match, England do not plan to deviate from their new attacking approach when they host South Africa in the second test at Old Trafford from Thursday.
2nd Test: Clash between 'Bazball' and South African seamers sets up intriguing showdown
England will be hoping the toss and conditions go their way after being on the backfoot from the start of the first Test at Lord's and eventually capitulating inside three days. They were undone by an impressive South African attack with four seamers rolling over the English batting order and spinner Keshav Maharaj taking a couple of wickets at the top of the innings to boot.
England Test Captain Ben Stokes Reveals He Takes Anxiety Medication
England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed he takes anxiety medication every day to help his battle with mental health issues. Stokes stepped away from cricket last year to focus on his mental health after enduring a series of panic attacks. The 31-year-old's father, Ged, died of brain cancer two years ago and Stokes opted out of his sport for six months as he struggled to come to terms with the loss.