Mark Stoneman

Mark Stoneman admitted life was likely to get "a hell of a lot" tougher next week after registering his first century in an England shirt

Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Dawid Malan also hit half-centuries on a productive day in the middle, but the quality of the bowling was a world away from what will greet England next week

Mark Stoneman, Joe Root and Dawid Malan scored half-centuries but England struggled to capitalise on a slow surface in their day-night warm-up match

Alastair Cook and Joe Root fell cheaply but there were half-centuries for four of the top six on England's first day of tour action

Mark Stoneman admits he endured a nervous wait to hear whether he'd made the cut for England's Ashes squad, but now that he's on the plane, he's ready to fulfil a childhood dream

Yorkshire were powerless to stem Surrey's batting assault as Division One's three heaviest run-makers again took their toll

Tom Westley and Mark Stoneman will have three Championship matches to further their Ashes case, while Dawid Malan will play two following the T20I against West Indies

England dropped at least 14 chances against West Indies and the head coach also admitted they are no nearer knowing their best top order

England's series victory over West Indies is a cause for self-congratulation in the short term. But there are several issues that remain to be resolved ahead of the Ashes

Having overseen back-to-back Test series wins in his first summer in charge - the first time England have beaten both touring sides since 2013 - Joe Root was in understandably upbeat mood

England face an obviously encouraged West Indies side and the realisation that they will go to Australia unsure of several positions in their first-choice XI

England face an obviously encouraged West Indies side and the realisation that they will go to Australia unsure of several positions in their first-choice XI

The England coach said Mark Stoneman looked "a tough type of player" and Dawid Malan was more settled in the Headingley Test

Mark Stoneman feared a fractured finger, having being hit on the hand by Jason Holder shortly after tea on the third day at Headingley

The third day ended with England having wiped off a sizeable deficit with plenty of batting to come, but their way back into the match wasn't smooth

The second Test was delicately poised after a oscillating day with West Indies taking a lead of 169 before Mark Stoneman and Joe Root led England's reply

England's top-order plays the same familiar refrain, as West Indies' best day of the series doesn't quite finish with them in command

It tells you much about the current state of world cricket that Edgbaston had only budgeted for a three-day Test

Joe Root has admitted the idea of his moving back into England's top three was discussed ahead of naming a squad for the Investec Test series against West Indies