In his latest exclusive Sporting Life Ashes video diary, Paul Collingwood admits Jonny Bairstow needs to work on his handshake, while there's a confidence booster on the golf course for Alastair Cook.
The aftermath of England's 10-wicket defeat in Brisbane has been dominated by Australian revelations about Jonny Bairstow's unorthodox method of greeting, and what turned out to be slightly premature reports that all-rounder Ben Stokes might be about to ride in and save the day for England.
But Collingwood hasn't given up hope that Stokes could join the Ashes party at some stage, while acknowledging Bairstow might want to reconsider his "headshake" greeting.
"We've had an interesting week," says Collingwood in his latest Sporting Live Video Diary.
"The Jonny Bairstow fiasco, the Australian media just blowing something all out of proportion. Although I do think Jonny needs to work on his handshake, or headshake or whatever it is.
"We’ve had the Ben Stokes issue that we’ve had to try and deal with. He’s gone to New Zealand and playing some cricket over there I think and seeing his family.
"I think everybody had high hopes that Stokesy was on his way with his cricket bags to the Ashes and coming to play in Adelaide, but he’s off to New Zealand which is great for him. Hopefully the police investigation will go well and we’ll see Stokesy at some point, you never know."
Collingwood also offered a hopeful forecast on the Adelaide weather, with cool conditions expected for a day-night Test that our Dave Tickner is backing England to win.
"Although it’s really hot now, it’s apparently going to get really cold over the weekend so that might actually play into our hands a little bit, hopefully a bit more moisture in the pitch and we can get a bit more movement for the bowlers," said Collingwood.
There's also been a welcome confidence-booster for veteran England opener Alastair Cook on the golf course, where he made his first ever hole-in-one.
With Collingwood also offering his thoughts on a ground with happy personal memories for him as well as giving us an up-close look at the pink balls that will be used in the first ever men's day-night Ashes Test, his Video Diaries are a must watch for England fans ahead of Saturday's second Test.
