Irish Sunday Mirror

Big Ben tolls for Indians

- BY NEIL MOXLEY

BEN STOKES shrugged off his troubles to deliver a match-winning display as England kept their nerve to win the first Test against India.

The all-rounder (above) grabbed three crucial wickets – including that of India skipper Virat Kohli – leaving Joe Root & Co to celebrate a stunning 31-run triumph.

Stokes will be in court tomorrow to answer charges of affray following an incident in Bristol 10 months ago.

Despite having this hanging over him, he came up trumps and Root said: “Stokesy has got that knack of delivering. He wants to bowl in big moments of the game.”

Asked how he had coped, England’s skipper added: “Ben seems himself. He’s gone about things how he does in every other game.

“He’s so dedicated.whatever happens, he’s always going to be part of our dressing room.”

After Jimmy Anderson struck in the first over of the day, England were seeking inspiratio­n.

And it came when Stokes took over. He trapped Kohli leg before and that was all the encouragem­ent the hosts needed.

Root added: “Coming into today we knew it would be a stiff test and I asked the guys to come in and show a bit of passion and

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