NO HARD FEELINGS WITH STOKES, INSISTS ROOT

IF anyone could be excused for lamenting the absence of Ben Stokes from the Ashes it would be Joe Root but the england Test captain has welcomed his friend back into the fold.

‘There’s no point looking back on it,’ said Root. ‘If he can keep on putting in man-of-the-match performances it will give him confidence when he comes back into red-ball cricket.’

Stokes showed england what they were missing during the Ashes with a superb performance in the second ODI against New Zealand. ‘To have that time out and to come back and perform how he has demonstrates his skill level,’ said Root. The big question is whether Stokes will be restored as vice- captain for the two Tests that conclude this tour in Auckland and Christchurch with his crown court case on a trial of affray still hanging over him. ‘It’s a decision we have not made yet,’ insisted Root. ‘When we get together as a Test group me and (coach) Trevor Bayliss will discuss a few things.’