JOE’S ROOTING FOR PAL STOKES
He’s passed first Test
JOE ROOT has welcomed Ben Stokes back into the England fold.
But he insists no decision has been made about whether the all-rounder will retain the Test vice-captaincy.
England’s five-day skipper looked on admiringly as Stokes showed he was already back in the groove with a stunning display to help his side win the second of five 50-over clashes against New Zealand.
He scored an unbeaten 63, took two wickets and was involved in two runouts to banish any doubts about his form in only his second game back after his five-month ban.
But Root (right) was non-committal when asked if Stokes will be his deputy when the two-Test series against New Zealand starts in Auckland later this month.
“That’s a decision we’ve not agreed yet,” said Root.
“I think when we get together as a (Test) group me and (coach) Trevor (Bayliss) will discuss a few things, but that’s not been discussed yet.”
The performance of Stokes on Wednesday, even if it was in a one-day international, showed England just what they were missing during the Ashes over the winter.
But Root added: “There’s no point looking back at it like that.
“It is what it is. I think the most important thing is, in terms of Test cricket, we look forward to this next series and make sure he can build momentum in this oneday series and keep putting in match-winning performances to give him confidence when he does come back to red-ball cricket. “He worked really hard back home in Durham to make sure when he did get his opportunity to come back he was ready. He loves playing for England. “He leaves nothing out there on the field, he’s really dedicated to this sport and it’s really nice to be able to look back on the last game and see him have such an influence on the result.
Confidence
“It’s testament to just how good a player he actually is. 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. It’s good to see him back playing, it really is.”
Asked if he always believed Stokes would be back at some stage this winter, Root said: “Yes, I was always definitely hopeful. For him, I’m sure, to get a good start under his belt will give him a lot of confidence. It’s about moving forward now and I think he’s done that brilliantly.
“He’s come back into the team, he always gives everything on the field and Wednesday was just another example of that.”
England, who are expected to name an unchanged team, will be confident of taking a 2-1 series lead when they face New Zealand in tomorrow’s third ODI after their resounding six-wicket win on Wednesday.
But Wellington does not hold fond memories for England, given they were thrashed twice at the ‘Cake Tin’, first by New Zealand and then Sri Lanka, during their humiliating 2015 World Cup campaign.
Root, who scored a century in the second of those matches, said: “I don’t think you can look at previous games too much. It’s a very different team now to the one that played in that World Cup.
“It’s a big game for us now – 1-1 in the series – so it would be great to go in front and carry the momentum forward from the last game.”