England captain Cook backs Woakes to fill hole left by injured Stokes versus Sri Lanka
ALASTAIR COOK admits Ben Stokes’s injury has left a big hole in the middle of England’s side going into the second Investec Test against Sri Lanka tomorrow.
But the England skipper says they have the perfect Plan B in the shape of in-form all-rounder Chris Woakes.
The direct replacement of Woakes for Stokes is the only change to the side which beat the tourists inside three days at Headingley.
“It’s quite refreshing that he’s come out and said it in one way. But that is the nature of the beast,” said Cook. “You’re always under pressure when you’re playing for England because of the standard of competition for places.
People want to take his place but he’s got another opportunity here. He’s practised really well. We know he’s a good player, there’s no doubt about that and we know he can play at this level.
“Like all of us though, he’s only a score away, and he needs a score, but he’s in a really good place to do that.”