25-year-old Taylor rejected an improved deal at Grace Road
George Dobell15-Sep-2020Tom Taylor is set to join Northamptonshire after rejecting a new contract at Leicestershire.Taylor, the 25-year-old allrounder, is out of contract at the end of the season. While Leicestershire are understood to have pushed their budget as far as they could in a bid to keep him, he has opted to move to the third Midlands county of his career. Taylor started out at Derbyshire and moved to Leicestershire ahead of the 2018 season.It is understood that several other counties – including Warwickshire – have expressed a passing interest in Taylor over recent months, but Northants have won the race for his signature.The move is a blow to Leicestershire. While they have become accustomed to losing players to more affluent rivals – notably Nottinghamshire – to lose out to another club with a limited budget is a setback.But Northamptonshire were promoted to Division One of the County Championship at the end of 2019 – Leicestershire were bottom of Division Two – and are currently second in the Central Group in the Vitality Blast. Leicestershire are third in the North Group.Leicestershire’s disappointment is increased as they feel they had nursed Taylor through a couple of serious back injuries and considered him a central figure in their team redevelopment. They have already announced they will not be selecting him in the remaining Vitality Blast matches as they look to provide opportunities to other players instead.
Testing and the retesting that followed hasn’t shifted Pakistan’s focus away from cricket, says the captain
Umar Farooq27-Jun-2020
PCB
Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali has said he and his team-mates made a pact during lockdown to keep their fitness intact so that the moment cricket could resume they would all be ready.The Pakistanis haven’t played any competitive cricket since the Pakistan Super League was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic in March earlier this year. However, with a tour of England on the horizon, some players have been working out at makeshift home gyms while those based in Lahore have been using the Qadar academy and the head coach Misbah-ul-Haq’s private net facility.Once Pakistan’s primary squad arrives in the UK, they start with two weeks of quarantine at Worcester, during which they’ll be able to train, and then move to Derby. They’re also set to play two internal warm-up gamess before the three Tests and three T20Is in August and September.”We are happy now,” Ali said in a pre-departure video conference from a hotel room in Lahore. “The wait is over and cricket is resuming. There is a lot of excitement and hunger to play cricket. For long, we were not able to play the cricket, a game we love the most and this was the toughest time. We’ve been through a lot of challenges in last few months being at home. We all have been in touch with each other on WhatsApp group and made a pact that we have to keep our fitness intact.”There were several who made gyms at home, few had found an isolated place to keep it going and made sure that we have keep our physical fitness. Because we know if we are in good shape, we can work on our skills at any stage later to regain our momentum. Now, we have a month in England for preparation and hopefully this is a sufficient time to focus on skills and get back in our groove.”ALSO READ: Hafeez among six Pakistanis to return negative resultsThe PCB had initially planned to send a squad of 29 players to the UK, but earlier this week ten of them tested positive for coronavirus. On Saturday, Wasim Khan, the PCB chief executive, announced that six of those ten returned negative results when they were tested a second time. The primary squad that will fly from Lahore to Manchester on Sunday will include 20 players and 11 support staff. The others will join them after returning two negative tests.”We weren’t worried assuming we don’t have any symptoms,” Ali said. “In fact, we never really imagined that few can still get positive result without even having any sign. So there and then we all started to get worried because we had spent tough times waiting for cricket and once it is about to start .. this sudden thing [ten players testing positive] happened. But then if anything like this meant to happen, you cannot control it. We knew about the testing process and we had to go though at least two tests before going to England so we were mentally prepared. But obviously this news about positive gave us a scare.”Did the testing and retesting that followed take Pakistan’s focus away from cricket? “Now this is a part and parcel of the game and we will get used to of it,” Ali said. There were [the] first couple of tests and once you are in a bio-secure environment you feel totally different. We were at home and came here [hotel] and we started to feel more secure. There are still challenges but cricket has to move forward this way for some time. It’s a tough time and we will try to entertain all the people out there waiting for cricket. So the boys are confident and looking forward for the tour which hopefully will go smoothly.”Pakistan last played Test cricket in February, when teenaged quick Naseem Shah ripped through Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. They were scheduled to play the second Test later in April, but the pandemic had thrown the sporting calendar out of gear by then. However, Ali still drew confidence from their recent success at home and previous trip to England in 2018.”Batting in England has always been tough but we did well in our previous outing,” he said. “At home in our previous Test, our batsmen had scored a lot of centuries and confidence is still there. So we have a lot to take to England. In England once we get 300-plus runs on the board, then I am hopeful that we will do well in the Test matches.”
Newcastle United are eyeing one of their former players as a potential replacement for Dan Ashworth as sporting director, according to a new claim.
Newcastle eyeing Dan Ashworth replacement
Ashworth has been a hugely influential figure at St James' Park, working so effectively alongside Eddie Howe when it comes to transfers, but he is now set to leave the club sooner rather than later.
He has been placed on gardening leave by Newcastle, with a switch to Manchester United looking increasingly likely, although a lot of that may depend on whether the Red Devils are willing to pay £20m in compensation to get their man. If not, they will have to wait until his contract expires in 2026.
Dan Ashworth.
With Ashworth soon to depart Newcastle, the hunt is now on to find the perfect successor in terms of someone who can work similarly seamlessly alongside Howe, ensuring that the Magpies continue to move in a positive direction.
Monaco's Paul Mitchell has been mentioned as a potential replacement a number of times, having shone during his time in France, and he also has plenty of experience in English football, having enjoyed a successful stint at Southampton and masterminding signings such as Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama.
Victor Wanyama
2013/14
€15m (£13m)
Dejan Lovren
2013/14
€10m (£9m)
Sadio Mane
2014/15
€23m (£20m)
Fraser Forster
2014/15
€13m (£11m)
Shane Long
2014/15
€15m (£13m)
Newcastle could hire former player
According to inews, former Newcastle player Hugo Viana is a candidate to be the club's next sporting director after Ashworth, with the Portuguese shining in the role at Sporting CP.
Dan Ashworth for England.
AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini is also in the mix to take over from the Englishman, but it is worth stressing that Monaco ace Mitchell is the current first choice.
Viana is a great option in his own right, however, having done such an impressive job at Sporting, playing a big role in their success under Ruben Amorim.
He has been in his current job since 2018, and Amorim has outlined his colleague's expertise in the transfer market, assessing last summer's business back in August:
"We are still below 50 percent, between sales and purchases. Last year, Porro left in the middle of the season, Sarabia, Palhinha, Matheus Nunes also departed and there were more changes than this year. Only Ugarte left from the regular starters, which allowed us to plan better. We went looking for young players who already had some experience to join the first team. Many kids came in and will have their spot. We set targets early and we had good sales.
"We're on the right track. We know it's going to be a tough year, but having a base will make it easier."
Howe must drop Newcastle star to allow 5ft 10 talent to flourish
He’s come under fire from a lot of supporters this campaign.
ByEthan Lamb Mar 30, 2024
Viana's links with Newcastle would make bringing him in an added bonus, considering he made 61 appearances for the Magpies back in the 2000s, meaning he could adjust even better than others in the role.
If the T20 World Cup does take place this year, Australia would be one of the favourites
Andrew McGlashan13-May-2020Adam Zampa believes that Australia holding the No.1-ranking in T20Is for the first time is the reward for giving the format the attention it needs.Although Australia’s climb to the top was in part due to the ICC’s annual update of their rankings – which also saw them top the Test ladder – it has come on the back of a very strong run in T20Is with seven wins out of nine matches during the 2019-2020 season, securing series victories against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa.The sequence goes back further, too, including the 2-0 victory over India last March which was sealed by Glenn Maxwell’s magnificent 113 off 55 balls in Bengaluru.ALSO READ: Adam Zampa wants to be more than a white-ball specialistDuring the recent season, the margins of victory weren’t close: ranging from seven to 10 wickets and 97 to 134 runs. They would have won all six matches at home if not for rain in Sydney against Pakistan and the only defeat was a 12-run loss in Port Elizabeth when a hesitant middle-order display undid them.With two T20 World Cups to plan for in 2020 and 2021 – although the October tournament in Australia is under threat due to the Covid-19 pandemic – the selectors moved away from seeing it as the format where key players, especially bowlers, would be rested and have also been boosted by the returns of David Warner and Steven Smith.”The emphasis we put on T20 cricket as an international team over the last couple of years has made a huge difference,” Zampa, who took 10 wickets in eight T20Is last season, said. “There was the Test format and ODI format leading up to the World Cup last year that we were focusing on but this T20 World Cup in particular has made a difference in the way we select teams, the way the scheduling looks.”I think it’s been an amazing 18 months in particular for the T20I team and we’ve got a really good balance leading up to the World Cup. It’s exciting to be a part of that.”Australia celebrate Adam Zampa’s breakthrough•AP Photo/Themba HadebeThe T20 World Cup is the one piece of global silverware to elude Australia with their best returns being the 2010 final defeat against England in Barbados.There remains hope that the tournament later this year can still take place, although the challenge of getting 16 teams together for a global event amid the pandemic is one that may prove too great. There have been suggestions of moving it back to February next year but the knock-on effects of that are also considerable.If the tournament does proceed in October it could be a challenge for players to prepare depending on how much professional cricket is possible beforehand and there is no chance of international cricket until July at the earliest. Australia’s ODI and T20I tour of the UK that month is all-but sure not to take place as scheduled, with discussions around whether it will be shunted to September.Zampa, who has a Cricket Australia (CA) central contract and will come off annual leave on May 18, thinks some players would be able to adjust to a lack of competitive cricket but admitted he is someone who needs games under his belt. Plans are currently being drawn up, led by CA’s head of science and medicine Alex Kountouris, as to what training will look like over the next few months as states lift their Covid-19 restrictions.”Some guys could probably go straight into it like nothing has happened but personally I like to continue playing cricket,” Zampa said. “The last six weeks has been weird for me. Especially in T20 with different game situations, putting yourself under pressure. I need some game time to be ready for international cricket but we haven’t really had any messages about the World Cup so haven’t thought about preparation.””It will be a bit different to the last few years – playing IPL or county cricket – but I think once the leave period is done in a few days’ time, the message has been to train in your states for the foreseeable future and do pre-season as everyone else would.”
The grass is green, the sky is blue, and Chelsea remain inconsistent.
Mauricio Pochettino's side have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch this season, although it might not be for the right reasons.
It's impossible to know which version of the team will show up under the Argentine this year, as in one game, they might put in a brilliant performance away to the Premier League champions, and then a few weeks later, they might struggle to a 2-2 draw away to Brentford.
Now, there are clearly some talented youngsters in this Blues squad, such as Cole Palmer, Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernández, but there are also too many players who simply aren't of the level required.
Frank Lampard
One of those stars who might not be good enough was a Frank Lampard signing, and he has seen his value crater in the years since he joined the club.
Ben Chilwell's value when he signed for Chelsea
Yes, the player in question is England international and, at points this season, Chelsea captain Ben Chilwell. The talented left-back was, at one stage, and not long ago at that, one of the most sought-after full-backs in English football.
His performances for Leicester City between the 2017/18 season – when he became a first-team regular after making 24 league appearances – and 2019/20 were genuinely quite impressive, as he managed to average a match rating of 6.94 in the league across that period, per WhoScored.
So, with the club just coming off of two transfer windows in which they didn't spend a penny, the Blues opted to drop £50m on the then-23-year-old and signed him up to a five-year deal.
There was a lot of pressure on the Milton Keynes-born defender to step up and justify the price tag in his first year in west London, and where some players might wilt under said pressure, Chilwell thrived.
The former Foxes ace made 42 appearances for the club, scored four goals, provided seven assists and played a crucial role in the club's Champions League glory.
Appearances
42
Goals
4
Assists
7
Goal Involvements per Match
0.26
At this point, it looked like this was a move that would work out, and Chelsea had a left-back who could play a key role in the team for up to the next decade.
However, it has since panned out very differently.
Ben Chilwell's valuation in 2024
Unfortunately, as Chelsea fans will be well aware, the 2020/21 season remains Chilwell's most successful in Blue.
The 5 foot 11 left-back's second year in the capital was a disaster as he suffered a cruciate ligament tear in late November that ruled him out for the rest of the season, leaving him with just 13 appearances, three goals and one assist to his name.
2020/21
2
84
7
2021/22
1
178
45
2022/23
2
117
20
2023/24
2
108
18
Total
7
487
90
The 2022/23 campaign brought more injury as a hamstring problem saw him miss 15 games for club and country, and while he did manage to make 30 appearances, he only scored two goals and provided three assists.
Finally, this season has been another one dominated by injuries as another problem with his hamstring saw him miss 17 games for the club, and as things stand, he's made 18 appearances, in which he has registered a single assist.
In fact, Chilwell's most notable moment of the season so far is probably his altercation with Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley in the League Cup final last month, for which he was labelled "pathetic" by football writer Joel Rabinowitz.
Even playing further up the pitch as a winger or wing-back this season has failed to rejuvenate the 27-year-old, with the Standard's Dom Smith giving him a 5/10 for his display against Brentford at the weekend, which he described as a 'pretty anonymous display.'
With these persistent injuries and downturn in form, a player who cost £50m only three and a half years ago has recently been valued at just €15m by the CIES Football Observatory, which comes to about £13m or £37m less than what Lampard paid for him.
Ex-Chelsea gem has made over £350m & outperformed Sterling in 22/23
The former Blues star has been raking it in since leaving Stamford Bridge.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 1, 2024
Ultimately, the signing of Chilwell is starting to look like a mistake on the part of Chelsea, as the combination of his consistent injury problems and poor form has seen what was once a valuable asset deteriorate into almost nothing.
da wazamba： Aston Villa returned to winning ways last weekend as they defeated Fulham 2-1 in the Premier League to remain in fourth position in the table, just two points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.
da fazobetai： Unai Emery will be hoping their progress to the last 16 of the Europa Conference League does not provide too much of a distraction as they chase a Champions League spot next term, but it does represent an ideal chance for the club to win a major trophy.
Unai Emery
With this in mind, the Spaniard will be tinkering with his starting XI between matches when the European fixtures return to their schedule in the next few weeks.
Firstly, they will have to negotiate another couple of league fixtures, with a clash against Nottingham Forest tomorrow afternoon at Villa Park.
With a week since their last tie, Emery likely won’t make many changes, with just a few potential tweaks to make in the Villa lineup for yet another crucial league match…
1 GK – Emiliano Martínez
Unless something drastic happens, Martinez will retain his place in between the posts for the clash against Forest.
The former Arsenal goalkeeper has only kept six clean sheets in his 24 Premier League matches thus far, but the free-scoring Villa side have often bailed him out.
2 RB – Matty Cash
Matty Cash.
The English-born Poland international will keep his spot on the right side of the defence purely because there is no adequate cover for him. Ezri Konsa is currently out injured while Calum Chambers has made just three appearances all season.
Cash lost possession 13 times against Fulham, while winning just one duel all match, and his performance was certainly not up to the required standard.
3 CB – Clement Lenglet
Clement Lenglet celebrates for Aston Villa…
Due to injuries to Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Diego Carlos, the on-loan Barcelona defender will keep his place in the starting XI ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Forest.
Since making his first Premier League appearance for Villa against Sheffield United just prior to Christmas, Villa have lost only three league ties and Emery will be hoping the Frenchman can keep another clean sheet.
4 CB – Pau Torres
Aston Villa defender Pau Torres.
The Spaniard only returned to the starting XI for the win against Fulham having suffered his own injury issues, missing seven matches for the club.
Torres currently ranks third among the squad for accurate passes per game (54.9), while also ranking third for clearances per game (2.3) and accurate long balls per game (2.9), proving he is one of the best passers in the squad.
A fit and healthy Torres will be vital if Villa aim to secure a top-four finish in the top flight this season.
The first change in the starting XI from the win over Fulham will see Alex Moreno make way for Digne at left-back.
The Spaniard committed two fouls, won just two ground duels and lost possession 11 times against the Cottagers, and it is the perfect game for Emery to unleash the Frenchman.
Digne has not started in the league since the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on Boxing Day, but he could well make a return tomorrow.
6 CM – Douglas Luiz
Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz
Emery will change shape from the win over Fulham, deploying a 4-2-3-1 tomorrow and this will see Luiz operate at the base of the midfield.
The Brazilian has been in wonderful form this season, registering 15 goal contributions – eight goals and seven assists – across 36 matches, and he has been sublime in the heart of the midfield for Villa this term.
His presence significantly improves the squad, and he will retain his place ahead of the clash on Saturday.
7 CM – John McGinn
John McGinn
The Villa captain will once again form a midfield partnership with Luiz, but tomorrow he will sit slightly deeper.
This shouldn’t matter to the Scot, especially considering he has found the back of the net on eight occasions, while Emery can rely on him for every match, as he has started all but two of their matches throughout the 2023/24 season.
8 RW – Leon Bailey
Leon-bailey
One of the most important things Emery has done is revive certain players who had struggled under the previous regime.
Bailey is one such player. This season in particular, the former Bayer Leverkusen gem has come to life under the Spaniard, scoring ten goals in all competitions and proving to be a general menace to opposition defenders.
Bailey last scored against the Blades a couple of weeks ago, and he will be desperate to get back onto the scoresheet tomorrow afternoon.
9 AM – Youri Tielemans
Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans.
The Belgian has endured a tough start to life at Villa, starting just seven top-flight matches, yet his display last week will see him retain his spot for the clash against the Tricky Trees.
Tielemans made one key pass and created a big chance while having a shot on target, and he showed a willingness to often get involved in an attacking sense.
10 LW – Moussa Diaby
Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby.
Jacob Ramsey started on the left side of the midfield against Fulham yet failed to demonstrate his true talents.
Indeed, the Englishman had just two shots off target, won just 20% of his contested duels and lost possession nine times and this means he will give way.
Diaby will return to the starting XI in his place and he could prove to be a key threat against Forest.
The £130k-per-week Frenchman has yet to replicate his form that saw him shine in the Bundesliga, but it will surely be a matter of time before the winger gets going.
Hailed as “fearless on the ball” by journalist Aaron Stokes in 2022, Diaby has scored just six goals all season, but a decent run between now and May could boost his confidence.
Liverpool football club have been knocked out of countenance by the news that Jurgen Klopp will end his trophy-laden tenure at the club at the end of the season.
The German manager came and conquered and will be forever remembered as one of the most influential figures in Anfield's distinguished history, winning the whole gamut of silverware and taking the club from mediocrity to the apex of European football.
Still, the 56-year-old leaves the club in a good place, first in the Premier League, into the Carabao Cup final, and competing in the FA Cup and Europa League, and he will lead the charge for success across all four fronts.
The news is raw and comes as a shattering shock but Klopp has admitted that he informed FSG of his decision in November and, with that in mind, it's clear that work has been conducted behind the scenes.
The managers that could replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
While Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is the early frontrunner to succeed Klopp on Merseyside – with SPORT BILD confirming that there is a clause in his contract that would allow Liverpool to swoop in in the summer – the Spaniard is not the only boss on Liverpool's radar.
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso.
Indeed, Fabrizio Romano recently relayed a response from Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi who confirmed that his "focus is on the end of this season" after being questioned on Liverpool job links.
And while this in itself is insubstantial, the Reds were reportedly interested in appointing the Italian last year when Liverpool were in a rut and speculation about Klopp's future emerged.
He could now be a dream alternative to Alonso in the dugout due to his Premier League pedigree and his similarities to Klopp in the way that he sets his team up.
Roberto De Zerbi's tactical approach
De Zerbi joined the Brighton project back in September 2022 after Graham Potter left the AMEX Stadium to take to the dugout at Chelsea.
The 46-year-old has taken the bricks laid by Potter and sculpted a truly remarkable team on the south coast, leading Brighton to a fifth-place Premier League finish last year that secured European qualification for the first time in the club's history.
Whereas, Alonso is yet to manage in England it remains to be seen whether or not his work at Leverkusen would translate to success in the English top-flight.
Described as a "genius" by former player Maxime Lopez, De Zerbi's system is built on fluency in possession and domination across all areas, with his preference for in-cutting wingers something that aligns with Klopp's approach.
While De Zerbi and Klopp's systems are not diametrically opposed, the former does implement more of a passing game than Klopp's suffocating pressure, unrelenting and electric in recycling the ball and darting toward the final third.
Nonetheless, both managers offer an exciting offensive style and Klopp has even gone as far as to remark that De Zerbi is a "very influential" leader for the Seagulls.
Club
Matches played
Passes made
Brighton & Hove Albion
21
13,414
Manchester City
20
13,370
Liverpool
21
12,050
Chelsea
21
12,003
Tottenham Hotspur
21
11,950
Source: Premier League
Moreover, Liverpool aren't exactly averse to ball-playing and a collection of first-rate players at Anfield would be more than capable of adapting to a new style.
It remains to be seen whether or not Liverpool will move for De Zerbi but he has proven his mettle in the Premier League and could be the perfect fit due to his similarities with Klopp's style of play.
Leeds United look to be on an upward trajectory following a difficult campaign last year and Daniel Farke has now received some "excellent news" that will boost his side in the hunt for promotion, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Leeds United look for new arrivals…
New arrivals are usually the appeal of any transfer window for supporters, who will undoubtedly be excited to see which players are on the market and in search of a new challenge. Leeds haven't managed to add anyone to the ranks this month as of yet; nevertheless, this hasn't stopped rumours circulating from far and wide concerning the Championship outfit.
EFL Championship done deals: Every January 2024 transfer
As the January transfer window closes, FFC has you covered for every in and out involving your club in the EFL Championship.
ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024
West Ham United defender Ben Johnson continues to be linked with a move to Yorkshire and journalist Dean Jones has indicated that there could be some substance to recent claims stating Farke is keen to bring him in, as he told GIVEMESPORT: "From a Leeds perspective, it really does seem like they are going after a few players that have specific experience and traits. Ben Johnson, from West Ham, is attainable and could be the one."
Bournemouth attacking midfielder David Brooks is a name doing the rounds in media circles and could be an additional reinforcement for the Whites as they look to find star quality this month, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook. In all likelihood, the Wales international could move over the next few weeks on a loan basis as he aims to get back to full stride following his incredible road to recovery from illness.
Now, transfer guru Romano has issued an exciting update involving an existing Leeds player in a massive boost for everyone connected with the club.
Fabrizio Romano buzzes over Archie Gray update
Taking to social media platform X, Romano has shared and reacted to some "excellent news" that youngster Archie Gray has put pen to paper on a new deal at the club that will see him remain at Elland Road until the summer of 2028.
Previously tied to the club he came through at until 2025, the 17-year-old has given Farke and company some much-needed security regarding his future following prolonged interest in his services last year from the likes of Liverpool, Everton and Crystal Palace.
Making a sustained breakthrough at Leeds United this campaign, the Durham-born midfielder has made 28 appearances in all competitions, registering one assist in his time on the pitch (Gray statistics – Transfermarkt).
Archie Gray's key statistics in 2023/24 – Championship (Sofascore)
Accurate passes per game
29.9 (84%)
Balls recovered per game
5.4
Tackles per game
2.1
Expected assists
0.71
Average match rating
6.78/10
Thorp Arch has produced some brilliant talent over the years so Gray looks to be the next one off the conveyor belt, and the club can now demand a massive fee if any suitors come calling.
Joe Root “has the backing of everybody” in the England dressing room, according to Ben Stokes.Root has endured a tough few days. After experiencing perhaps his worst Test as captain – England suffered an innings defeat and he recorded his lowest return in any Test as leader where he has batted twice – questions about his position as captain have resurfaced. In particular, there are concerns over whether the leadership is compromising his ability to contribute with the bat. He now averages under 40 as captain and under 30 in 2019.But it is clear he retains the full support of his teammates. Certainly Stokes, who might be considered one of the few viable alternatives for the position and is now, at No. 9, two places above Root in the Test batting rankings, is unequivocal in his support. He believes that it is unfair to pin the failures of the whole team on one man and that there is “no one else to do” the job.”Joe knows that he’s got the backing of everybody in the changing room: players, backroom staff and management,” Stokes said. “That’s the main thing that counts for us as players in a very tightknit group. He knows that everybody in that changing room 100 percent backs him, as I do.”The pressures of being England Test captain is huge. It can be one of the most criticised jobs in England at times. And sometimes that criticism is unfair, I would say. There are 11 guys that contribute to a win or loss. It doesn’t all fall on the captain.”We put our hands up as players when we don’t perform. But unfortunately Joe cops most of that [criticsm]. But as a playing group, we stick together and we hold our hands up together as well.”He’s fine. He’s Joe Root. He is England captain and there’s no one else to do it.”There is unanimity within the England squad about where they went wrong in Mount Maunganui. Having squandered first use of the pitch, they then found themselves bowling on it at its best and were given a batting masterclass by BJ Watling. So, despite the scorecard, they know it was the batsmen, rather than the bowlers, who were most responsible for the defeat.”We fought as hard as we possibly could with the ball,” Stokes said. “I’m not quite sure what else we could have done. We spent 201 overs in the field and we left nothing out there. Scoring 350 in our first innings didn’t quite cut it. On a wicket like that, you have to get five or six hundred if you bat first. We knew we were under-par when we got bowled out.”Stokes was as disgusted as anyone by the comments directed at Jofra Archer towards the end of the first Test. As a man proud of his New Zealand and Maori heritage, he was at pains to point out how unrepresentative the incident was of the welcome England’s players – and supporters – receive in the country.”I’m obviously very proud of my heritage and where I’m from,” Stokes said. “I’ll always respect that. The tattoo on my arm just signifies where the family comes from.”Coming back to New Zealand, it’s not just a cricket tour for me. It’s also a great time to be able to catch up with family that I don’t get to see that often. I came out a week before the Test guys to stay with my mum and dad, which was awesome. I got to see brothers, sisters, cousins and everything like that. Every time I manage to come back it’s really good.”It wasn’t a nice way to end the Test match and it’s a shame because that doesn’t represent New Zealand is about as a country whatsoever. New Zealand is more accurately represented by how much support Jofra has had, not just from the New Zealand cricket team, but New Zealand in general after that incident.”That’s the main things for us now: making Jofra aware that we’ve got his back. It was a pretty horrific incident and something that shouldn’t happen in sport or in the world in general in 2019.”Archer was among the England seamers to return to training on Monday. While he didn’t have a long bowl, he appeared in no discomfort after his exertions in Mount Maunganui and is expected to play in the second Test. Indeed, England may well be unchanged.All the bowlers involved in the first Test bowled without issue on Wednesday though Matt Parkinson, the reserve spinner, took one ferocious blow to the thigh when Root thrashed one back at him. Parkinson will have a terrific bruise, but he was fine.Some of the fringe players have impressed, though. Saqib Mahmood continues to bowl well, while Zak Crawley is catching swallows in training and would appear to be a rare example of a county player reaching the England set-up with fitness levels to rival the very best in the squad.The 21-year-old scored a century in his only innings on the trip and is making a good case for his retention in the squad to tour South Africa despite the anticipated recall of Jonny Bairstow.