England have recalled fit-again wicketkeeper Ben Foakes for the first Test against South Africa at Lord's, which begins on Wednesday.
Surrey wicketkeeper Foakes is the only change from the team that defeated India in the postponed fifth Test at Edgbaston last month after he missed the match after testing positive for Covid-19.
In the fifth Test at Edgbaston, Jonny Bairstow smashed centuries in both innings while Joe Root hit a superb unbeaten ton in the second innings as England chased down a record target of 378. That victory was England's fourth win in as many Tests under their new leadership pair of Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.
There was no place in the XI for the first Test for Ollie Robinson, with the Sussex seamer unable to force his way into the side, which boasts a pace attack of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Matthew Potts, supplemented by all-rounder Stokes.
Meanwhile, Stokes admitted taking some satisfaction from hearing South Africa counterpart Dean Elgar wade into the debate about England's new aggressive approach to batting in Test cricket.
Last week, the Proteas skipper said he had "absolutely no interest" in England's rebooted style, which has delivered four wins out of four so far, but also suggested he was sceptical about how successful it would be in the long term.
Invited to respond to Elgar's statements, Stokes said: "The opposition seem to be doing a lot of talking about it at the moment, we don't really speak about that much. We just concentrate on what we do.
"We don't dive into it too much, but I'm happy for Dean and the South Africa team to say they're not interested and then keep talking about it.
"We've got a style of play, they've got a style of play. At the end of the day it's bat against ball and whoever plays best over a Test match is more than likely to win."
Meanwhile, South Africa spearhead bowler Kagiso Rabada is doubtful for the first game of the three-Test series with an ankle injury.
"I'm hoping that he pulls through," said Proteas coach Mark Boucher. "Rabada is a massive player for us as we all know so for him to be part of the final XI would be very special for us."
The second Test will be played in Manchester from August 25 and the third at The Oval from September 8.
England XI for first Test: Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (captain), Ben Foakes (wk), Matthew Potts, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, James Anderson
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
