Ben Stokes has always had a tendency to bowl for extended periods of time, according to Joe Root, who also said that even as captain of the England Test team, Stokes found it difficult to get the ball out of his hands.
On Day 5 of the third Test match between England and India at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, the star all-rounder bowled a 9.2-over spell in the morning and another 10 overs in the afternoon. Tim Southee, England’s fast bowling consultant, had to be sent by head coach Brendon McCullum on Day 3 to warn Stokes to stop attacking. The talismanic England captain ultimately bowled the most overs of any bowler in the Lord’s Test, with a total of 44 overs.
Stokes recently tore his hamstring, and England has been worried about how he is handling his workload, particularly when it comes to bowling.
However, Root said that Stokes is well-aware of his body and praised him for his performance against Shubman Gill and company at the Home of Cricket on Monday, July 14, when the hosts won the Test match by a margin of 22 runs.
“I don’t always get his attention. When I was captain, he ignored me. However, he has a solid understanding of his physical condition and knows what he’s doing. “It was the most amazing effort,” Root told the BBC.
“All he wants is to be the man and get things done. Amazing work to be able to accomplish that,” the standout England batsman continued.
It’s a positive indication for our future: Joe Root
But Root thinks Stokes’ ability to bowl for extended periods of time bodes well for England in the face of their upcoming difficult red-ball cricket assignments.
“After a few serious injuries, I was really afraid he wouldn’t play, but it’s obvious he now has faith in his body. It’s a positive indication for our future. Root said, “I mean, it really is, isn’t it, because that’s back to his best.”
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