Stokesy has that knack, says Root
BIRMINGHAM: England didn’t catch well, but eventually pulled off a sensational victory over India in the first Test at Edgbaston on Saturday, leaving skipper Joe Root gushing over the quality of the match on Saturday.
India were 53 runs from victory with skipper Virat Kohli batting on 51 on the fourth morning of the five-Test series’ opening game when Root’s inspired bowling change saw all-rounder Ben Stokes strike in his first over of the day to remove the home team’s danger man.
Stokes, who is likely to miss the second Test at Lord’s from August 9 because of a court hearing in Bristol, triggered the England comeback. The hearing, on affray charges following last year’s incident outside a bar, starts on Monday and is expected to continue for at least a few days.
Stokes took two wickets in one over and then sealed victory by removing all-rounder Hardik Pandya. “It was a fantastic team performance and credit to both bowling sides. It is easy to criticise both batters,” said Root, pointing to the modest totals.
The skipper said he told the team to show passion and belief and stay calm. “Test cricket can throw so many things. It fills you with confidence, winning the first Test. (Test cricket) shows it is so much more than skill, runs and wickets,” he said pointing to the hosts holding their nerve.
“This match is up there,” he said. “Anyone who says Test cricket is dead can watch this… I’m proud of the group. It sets up the series nicely.”
He praised Stokes for turning things around for England after India had looked ahead on a bright morning. Root praised Stokes as the player who produces the goods when it matters.
“Stokesy has that knack. He wants to be involved in these big moments,” he said. “Whenever you are in a close game, you want to be on the right side of it. We got a few things wrong (dropped four catches and Root was run out for 80 in the first innings) but kept confidence in one another.”
He said Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad didn’t give away boundaries on the fourth morning to keep India under control.
Root dubbed all-rounder Sam Curran as another Ben Stokes after the 20-year-old all-rounder, in only his second Test, hit 63 in the second innings to give England a fighting chance on Day 3. That came after his four-wicket haul undermined India’s first innings batting.
“Sam has a bit of Stokes in him. Whenever he is around, he has the desire to be in it, similar to Ben.”
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Anyone who says Test cricket is dead can watch this… I’m really proud of the group. It sets up the series nicely.
JOE ROOT, on the Test series