Stokes needs to prove himself

DON’T be fooled by the painted nails. Eve Muirhead is a woman on a mission here.

Olympic bronze medallist in Sochi four years ago, the British women’s skip wants to deal in gold this time around.

Yesterday her rink opened their bid against the ‘neutral’ OAR team of athletes from Russia and wasted little time in laying down a marker, winning 10-3.

Her team of Vicki Adams, Lauren Gray, Anna Sloan and Kelly Schafer are thick as thieves off the ice and prepare for competition by decorating their nails.

But the familiar piercing stare and unrelenting focus was firmly on Muirhead’s face on the ice at the Gangneung Curling Centre. And perhaps that was what resonated with A-Team actor and ex-wrestler Mr T, who emerged as an unlikely fan of the sport when he revealed his approval on Twitter yesterday.

“That win stamps our authority down that Team GB are here and we are playing well,” said Muirhead, the two-time European champion whose brother Tom made his Olympic debut as part of the men’s rink who beat Switzerland 6-5 before losing 6-4 to defending champions Canada.

“We’ve enjoyed our time around the Olympic village and doing fun things like getting our nails done. But once that alarm went off in the morning, we knew it was competition day, and we knew we had to get our heads down in business mode.

“A lot of people say I maybe have a steely eye or steel face but it’s a lot of time to concentrate. You’re on the ice for up to three TREVOR BAYLISS says Ben Stokes should not expect to waltz straight back into the England side after five months away.

The England coach admitted Stokes’ return was a timely boost ahead of the tour of New Zealand.

But he said the player’s participation in the ODI series that starts in 10 days’ time is not guaranteed until he has proved his skills are not blunted.

“He hasn’t played for a while and we’ve got to get him back up to speed,” said Bayliss.

“At this stage I’d have to say it was unlikely [he’ll play in the first ODI]. We’ll have to wait and see how he is with travel and practice.”

England also play New Zealand in their remaining Tri-Series T20 in Hamilton on Sunday holding just an outside chance of reaching the final. They need Australia to beat the Kiwis tomorrow and then inflict a heavy