Ex-England captain Cook delivers verdict on Stokes enforcing the follow on

26 February 2023 , 07:19

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Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook and current skipper Ben Stokes (Image: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook has admitted he would not have enforced the follow on in the second Test against New Zealand, although he still expects Ben Stokes' side to win the match.

After bowling New Zealand out for just 209 in their first innings, Stokes decided to make them bat again with England enforcing the follow on for the first time since August 2020. However, New Zealand showed great resilience as openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway put on an impressive 149-run partnership.

England did manage to pick up three wickets before the close of play, but had been frustrated by New Zealand in their pursuit of victory - something Cook said he "feared" might happen after Stokes asked them to bat again.

"I wouldn't have enforced the follow-on," Cook said on BT Sport. "I didn't often do it as a captain and I feared a little bit for this where the wicket flattens out and you have to ask the bowlers to keep on going and going.

"However, England are still in a very good position to win this game and I still expect them to win the game. I just thought [give them] more time off their legs and you have slightly fresher bowlers.

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"Yes, the pitch might be slightly flatter, but that's the way I would have gone about it." Former England bowler Steven Finn, meanwhile, insisted the "logic was correct" behind the decision and England were simply "unfortunate" not to take any early wickets.

New Zealand frustrated England after they were asked to follow on (MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)

"I think when they took the last wicket, they were looking at grey skies, the fact the new ball had done all the damage and there was a frail top order that they'd been on top of for three innings in this series so far," he said.

"The logic was correct and I think, as a seam bowling unit, they actually executed pretty well. They were unfortunate not to get the breakthrough and they came up against two determined opening batters who weren't going to give their wicket away."

England's assistant coach Paul Collingwood revealed Stokes never had any intention of batting again and wanted to try and win the game on day three. "We know as an England cricket team that you're going to have days like this where it's hard toil," Collingwood told BT Sport.

"We went out there and had a great time with the new ball, just unfortunately didn't quite get the wickets with Jimmy and Broady up top. To be honest, I don't think the skipper was thinking of not enforcing the follow on.

"He just wanted to go out and take the positive approach and try to win it today. There was no doubt, he came in this morning and said to the boys that he wanted to win the game if we were to enforce the follow on.

"It's been hard toil, but this wicket has done plenty in the morning sessions so hopefully tomorrow we can come out with fresh legs and take the wickets."

Matthew Cooper