New Zealand v England: Root not surprised at ability of Stokes to prove his worth

Ben Stokes's near instant return to match-winning form for England is further evidence to Joe Root what a special talent he is.
WELCOME BACK: England's Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Picture: AP/John CowplandWELCOME BACK: England's Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Picture: AP/John Cowpland
WELCOME BACK: England's Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Picture: AP/John Cowpland

It took Stokes just one ‘warm-up’ – in which he almost dragged the tourists into contention in the first one-day international – before he delivered a man-of-the-match performance at Mount Maunganui to level the series against New Zealand.

After five months in exile, it is hard to envisage any but the very best so close to the peak of their skills so quickly.

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But Stokes marked himself out on Wednesday when he sealed the deal for England with an unbeaten top-score of 63 to add to two wickets and two run-outs.

England's Joe Root (left) and Ben Stokes. Picture: Nigel French/PAEngland's Joe Root (left) and Ben Stokes. Picture: Nigel French/PA
England's Joe Root (left) and Ben Stokes. Picture: Nigel French/PA

Until this week, the 26-year-old had played no international cricket since September 24 following his arrest outside a Bristol nightclub, which ruled him out of the Ashes as he and England waited to discover if there would be criminal charges.

Only after Stokes pleaded not guilty to affray at Bristol Magistrates Court last month was it announced he could rejoin his team-mates in New Zealand.

Such is his standing as a world-class all-rounder, few can have been surprised he has excelled already on his return.

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“It’s testament to just how good a player he actually is,” said Root, Test captain and lynchpin batsman across the formats.

England's Joe Root (left) and Ben Stokes. Picture: Nigel French/PAEngland's Joe Root (left) and Ben Stokes. Picture: Nigel French/PA
England's Joe Root (left) and Ben Stokes. Picture: Nigel French/PA

“To have such a period out of the game and come straight back and perform how he has shows the skill level of the individual really.

“I’ve always said he’s such an integral part of this team in all formats. He proved that (in the second ODI) – in all three disciplines he was outstanding.”

England appear to have an extra edge over the opposition whenever Stokes is involved.

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Root added: “He set the standard, took vital wickets, run-outs and then obviously knocked the runs off so convincingly. It’s just great to see him get back so quickly as well.”

Root led England to a 4-0 Ashes defeat in Stokes’s absence for so much of the winter.

It gradually became evident the brilliant all-rounder would not be back to face Australia, but Root kept faith Stokes might return against his native New Zealand.

“I was always definitely hopeful,” he said.

“I think most important is the fact that now he is back – for him, I’m sure – to get a good start under his belt will give him a lot of confidence.

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“It’s about moving forward now, and I think he’s done that brilliantly.

“He always gives everything on the field, and last night was just another example of that.”

New Zealand captain and Root’s Yorkshire team-mate Kane Williamson, along with fellow Kiwi star batsman Ross Taylor remain fitness doubts for tomorrow’s third ODI in Wellington.

Williamson had to miss the second match of five with a mild hamstring strain, while Taylor did not field at Mount Maunganui and has since had a scan on his quadriceps which has shown no serious damage.

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The England Lions had another disappointing day in Antigua after a clatter of wickets during the final session on day three of the third unofficial Test.

West Indies A began the day with Shane Dowrich and Jahmar Hamilton at the crease, with the latter soon finding the boundary off a Jack Leach delivery, and later hitting successive fours to bring the partnership to 100.

Spinner Dom Bess finally managed to trap his man as Hamilton was caught behind by Alex Davies for 79. It was left to Nottinghamshire all-rounder Paul Coughlin to break Dowrich, caught by Sam Northeast for 71, with a declaration soon following.

Keaton Jennings and Haseeb Hameed added 35 to the Lions’ scoreboard before the captain fell to Keemo Paul.

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But the 408 target looked even more distant after Nick Gubbins was bowled by Rahkeem Cornwall, leaving England on 78-2.

Lancastrian Hameed was next to follow after being stumped by Hamilton and after Northeast was run out for six, the Lions were soon on 102-4. Joe Clarke and Coughlin were next to go.

Already victors after winning two tests of the three-match series, West Indies A need just four wickets to claim a whitewash.

More than half of the tickets for Yorkshire’s T20 encounter against Roses rivals Lancashire have been sold – after being on sale for just one day.

Tickets for all seven of Yorkshire’s T20 home games went on sale yesterday, but it was the annual battle with neighbours Lancashire that proved to be the most popular.