Ashes 2021 LIVE: England Test skipper Joe Root is delighted to have the services of 1156 wickets veterans Stuart Broad and James Anderson for the day-night pink-ball Test. England and Australia will lock horns in the second Test, beginning Thursday at Adelaide. Australia won the first Test by nine wickets to gain a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Follow Ashes 2021 live updates on InsideSport.IN
Ashes 2021 LIVE: Joe Root delighted to have Broad & Anderson, says, expected too much from Stokes
“I think the only thing I’d probably say – and it sounds ridiculous – is not to try too hard. They’ve not played the first game but they’re world-class performers, they know what they’re doing and should trust what they’ve done for so long. Just go and be Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad if you get your opportunity,” said Root.
Root has admitted that he expected too much out of all-rounder Ben Stokes in the first Ashes Test.
“It was a huge ask and I’m probably as guilty as anyone; I expected too much of him. It’s because I see him almost as a bit of a superhero. Look at what he’s done in the last few years when he’s played; at least once a series, maybe twice a series, he’s done something extraordinary which has won us a game on its own. And you do get a little complacent about expecting that,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Root as saying.
“It’s easy to forget on a big occasion like that, whether it’s because he’s not played a huge amount and also what he’s had to go through recently as well, I think there was a bit too much on him. But you know the character he is, it’ll have motivated him even more now to put in one of those magical performances. Whether that comes this week or further down the series, I know it’s going to come,” he added.
Stokes scored 5 and 14 in his two innings at the Gabba in the first Test, and he also seemed to be hampered with a knee injury.
Why Ben Stokes is important for England?
A rare number of players of England players have tasted success against Australia in their backyard. Stokes had announced his arrival in Tests with a century at Perth and relishes the battle between the two teams.
- In the last three years, Ben Stokes averages nearly 45 with the bat and 28 with the ball.
- He is ranked 3rd in ICC’s rankings for all-rounders despite his long absence from cricket.
- His unbeaten 135 at Headingley in 2019 which helped England chase down 362 and win by one wicket remains one of the best performances of the 21st century.
- Against Australia, talisman Stokes has amassed 940 runs in 15 matches which features 3 centuries and 4 fifties. He has also scalped 34 wickets against the Aussies.
- England are yet to defeat Australia in Ashes since 2011. They have are yet to register a victory in the last 11 matches (10 losses, 1 drawn)
Ashes 2021 LIVE: Joe Root delighted to have Broad & Anderson, says, expected too much from Stokes
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