Stokes form no surprise to me – Root

BEN Stokes’ near instant return to match-winning form for England is further evidence to Joe Root what a special talent he is.It took Stokes just one ‘warmup’ – in which he almost dragged the tourists into contention in the first one-day international – before he delivered a man-of-thematch performance at Mount Maunganui to level the series against New Zealand.

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.

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.

Test captain Root said: “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 all three disciplines he was outstanding. 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.” THOMAS Hudson led the way for Nuneaton and Bedworth Swimming Club at the 2018 Warwickshire Championships, scooping an incredible 10 gold medals of the club’s 14-gold haul.

The Championships at Coventry’s 50m pool saw the club’s 10-year-olds and upwards compete in the programme of all 32 recognised long course events and 14 team events with all swimmers having to make the qualifying time to enter.

There was also golden success in their age groups for