BIG BEN IS BACK WITH REAL BANG

BEN STOKES caught India skipper Virat Kohli three runs short of his century – and proved he cannot be kept out of the spotlight for long.

The Nottingham public gave Stokes a warm welcome yesterday after he attempted to put a nightmare year behind him. He was cheered onto the ground at Trent Bridge at the start of play and then again when he came on to bowl.

Stokes was recalled for the third Test against India after he was found not guilty of affray at a Bristol court on Tuesday, following a fracas outside a nightclub 11 months ago.

His trial saw him miss the second Test victory at Lord’s, before Sam Curran made way for him here.

“He was the same as he always is,” said team-mate Chris Woakes. “He’s desperate to do well and to perform for England.

“It was unfortunate for Sam but Ben is a big game player and has worked extremely hard since he’s come back into the group. “Slip fielding to the spinner is an important position and he made that catch off Virat look easy but it went quickly to him.” Stokes was soon back in the thick of the action in the first hour when he collided with India opener Shikhar Dhawan, who was running a quick single off his bowling.

Any concerns of the incident turning nasty were soon allayed when Stokes gave a smile and a wink and Dhawan put his arm around the shoulders of the all-rounder.

Stokes was called upon to bowl the 10th over of the day and delivered a seven-over spell which conceded 29 runs. RICHARD SYDENHAM