WHO IS COOK’S NEW PAL?

SURREY opener mark Stoneman, 30 and from Newcastle, has a career first-class average of 34 and has never been picked for an England lions tour before, let alone a Test.

SO WHY TURN TO HIM NOW?

WELL, England are running out of options having seen their two big hopes of the winter, Haseeb Hameed and Keaton Jennings, fall by the wayside this summer. and then before them there was michael carberry, Nick compton, Sam Robson, adam lyth. i could go on.

WHY WILL STONEMAN BE ANY DIFFERENT?

HE is a late developer, having scored a thousand runs in each of his past four seasons at Durham before moving south this summer in search of fame and fortune with Surrey. and he averages 57 for them this season.

THAT’S BETTER, SO THE COACHES RATE HIM?

THEY might have to plead the fifth amendment on that one. Head coach Trevor Bayliss admitted earlier this summer he had never seen him play live, basically because he hadn’t been viewed as a prospective international before this season, while the strong word is that the lions gurus are unsure he has what it takes.

AT LEAST HE WON’T BE FACING SOUTH AFRICA...

THAT’S the thing. Score runs in the next three Tests and he will be on a plane to australia for the ashes. But that may give a false idea of his quality before he comes up against a different kettle of fish entirely in mitchell Starc and co.

at least West indies have a good-looking pace attack, led by the rapid Shannon Gabriel with the big young hope in alzarri Joseph. and this pink ball might zip around too.

SO IT MIGHT NOT BE SO EASY AFTER ALL?

EXACTLY. and the boy nicknamed Rocky has been known to throw a few cricketing blows — he has a particularly strong punched hook shot that could be useful at Edgbaston. it’s a pity marlon Samuels isn’t here. England wanted to punch him the last time they played West indies after he wound them up so much. Rocky might have been useful — but perhaps best not go there.