Donkey News

So, who's the donkey? Cook hits back at Atherton in captain row

Alastair Cook never breaks sweat - even when the heat on him is at its most intense - and England's new one-day captain kept his cool when confronted with the damning verdict of one of his predecessors.

Most new England skippers have a honeymoon period even if, like Cook, they are one of three captains taking part in a unique experiment.

Instead England's third leader in eight days was asked at the Oval what it was like to be called a 'plodder' and a 'donkey' by Mike Atherton.

'It takes one to know one,' said Cook of the surprisingly harsh opinion from one of the most respected voices in the game and a captain who, to be fair, could be known to plod a bit himself.

And Atherton was not exactly Usain Bolt in the field either. 'It doesn't matter what people think,' added Cook. 'I know I can score runs quickly. I have hit a one-day hundred for England and I know I can do it again.

'As an international player you always have to prove yourself and I'm no different now. I'm excited about the challenge ahead of me and I think my one-day game has evolved since I last played 50-over cricket for England. I know I have the skills and talent to do it.'

He has the perfect stage to prove his point. Cook leads England in the first of five one-day internationals against a Sri Lanka team who triumphed 5-0 here five years ago and who emphasised they are a different proposition in limited-overs cricket compared to Tests with a nine-wicket Twenty20 thrashing of England on Saturday.

That England side were led by Stuart Broad and now comes the turn of a man who is considered too orthodox - dare we say too much of a plodder - for Twenty20 cricket and who now has to silence those, like Atherton, who think he is the wrong man to lead this new 50-over era too.

Cook was too similar to Andrew Strauss to open the one-day innings with him in this age of power hitting but the decision of Strauss to concentrate on Test cricket gives Cook the chance to show that the work he has done with Essex to become more expansive can translate to the big stage.

'Strauss is a great example for me,' said Cook. 'His strike rate was around 60 when he first played one-day cricket but by the end that was closer to 80. You can evolve and improve. Strauss did. I hope I can follow in his footsteps.'

Cook will have to improve on his one-day strike-rate of 71.

Cool Mom Picks - Huge news: Bugaboo Donkey is here! A.K.A. Bugaboo ...

Huge news: Bugaboo Donkey is here! A.K.A. Bugaboo finally makes a double stroller. I've only been waiting for this stroller for six years. Well, I guess only three, really, since that's when my second child came into the picture. And that's when I started wondering why Bugaboo didn't have a double stroller.

Not an issue anymore. Today, in a top-secret, password-encrypted website for the press, Bugaboo revealed their latest design, the Bugaboo Donkey. And yes, my stroller-loving friends, it's a double.

I am so excited about this! I love my Bugaboo! I actually called them this morning to ask if they were coming out with a double stroller. The rep said "yes" but i was still iffy. People have been blogging about this for 3 years so I almost didn't believe it. Not that they would lie, but i had my doubts. A few questions though...Can we put 2 bassinets and two infant car seats (with adapters of course) on the frame at the same time for twins? Are the seats forward and back facing like all of the other Bugaboo strollers?

I had a chance to preview the Donkey in April in Amsterdam, and meet with the designers, so if you're interested in reading more, you can see my post at http://mbeans.com/spillingthebeans/uncategorized/hello-bugaboo-donkey/

Okay, here are the answers straight from Bugaboo.

Regarding two bassinets or two car seats:

Yes you can put two bassinets or car seats on the frame at the same time for twins. Parents can either use one or two car seats with the Bugaboo Donkey. Both Maxi Cosi and Graco car seats will be compatible. With the Bugaboo Donkey you can make 21 different configurations; you can use the stroller in mono and in duo configuration; you can use the stroller with carrycot(s), seat(s), car seat(s) and a side luggage basket – the seat can either be placed facing parents or facing world and can be reclined in 2 or 3 sit positions.

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