The psychology of the toss in Test cricket is a curious thing. On a delightful opening day at Trent Bridge New Zealand positively cantered to 318 for four by stumps but, while the run-rate was too high for England’s liking, the hosts could have kidded themselves this was only slightly above par had they been asked to field.
Instead Ben Stokes was the captain given the choice when the coin landed first thing, meaning that for all of his side’s upbeat perspiration and those four breakthroughs, their returns can only be viewed less favourably.
