Captain Joe Root says how Ben Stokes approaches the game both on and off the field is now still a inspiration for the England team.
Stokes‘ incredible unbeaten century led England to a remarkable one-wicket triumph at Headingley to measure the Ashes series at 1-1 and tickets to its first four days of the fourth Test at Old Trafford have been sold out.
If it go down to the wire again, he’s in no doubt his vice-captain may drag through the side after more or help inspire others to do so although root is hoping for a comfortable victory for England.
„One thing you know about Ben is that when the big events come about, he’s going to be there,“ Root said.
„He is going to need to become a part of it, he is never likely to shy away from any kind of challenge, and he’s proven that this particular summer.
„For him, I think he has just got to continue working and doing exactly what he is doing – he’s flying at the moment! He needs to exploit that, bottle it up and get the most out of it while he is in this terrific form.
„He is a great team man, he is just one of the men who’ll go out of the way to help everyone and make sure that they feel as though they are prepared. He provide advice, he’s a senior participant and leader. He shows on the field.
„He’s got a good balance of knowing when to say the right things. He’s very enthusiastic and he amazes people together . He is just a great bloke.
„If you combine this with the ability and ability that he has and it is a terrific combination and a terrific inspiration for not just the young men coming into this group but the senior players as well.“
Root also supported Craig Overton will replace Chris Woakes in the England XI while Joe Denly will move up to start with Jason Roy dropping down to # 4 as the hosts aim to capitalise on the goodwill and momentum caused by their win in Headingley.
„When you come off a win like this it is a huge lift for the whole squad,“ he said.
„For that game to tease like it did and also for us to develop here full of confidence and very much living in this series is… I thought how we played the week before at Lord’s it started to feel like we had been wrestling our way back in the show and we did a lot of good stuff out there.
„It felt like last week we left a lot of errors and did not really get it right but through some human brilliance and some resilience in our batting in the second innings and high-quality bowling, bar the strange charm here or there, we managed to win.
„In a way, if we can bring those two performances together we feel as if we will be in a really good place in the conclusion of the week too.“
Watch day among those fourth Test between England and Australia at Old Trafford from 10am, Wednesday The Ashes.
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