Stokes efforts ‘great sign’ he ‘trusts his body’ – Root

Batter Joe Root admitted he was “panicking” during Ben Stokes’ marathon bowling spells against India but said they show the England captain “trusts his body” and is a “great sign moving forward”.

Stokes bowled a tireless spell of 9.2 overs in the morning before another of 10 overs in the afternoon session on Monday as he inspired England to beat India by 22 runs in the third Test.

England’s talisman only returned to bowling in May after undergoing hamstring surgery for the second time in six months in January.

Root, who was England captain before Stokes took over in 2022, said he discussed the idea of Stokes coming out of the attack on the field but the 34-year-old opted to continue.

“He doesn’t always listen to me,” Root said. “He didn’t listen to me when I was captain.

Bowling lengthy spells have been a feature of Stokes’ career – he did so in the famous 2019 Ashes win at Headingley under Root’s captaincy – but were supposed to be a thing of the past as he fulfils his role as fourth seamer after surgery.

Stokes bowled a seven-over spell on the third evening and coach Brendon McCullum sent bowling coach Tim Southee to tell the captain to stop bowling.

After the first day vice-captain Ollie Pope said one of his roles is to “make sure he doesn’t push himself to a ridiculous place”.

Having taken the wicket of Akash Deep with the last ball of day four, Stokes trapped KL Rahul lbw in a spell lasting more than an hour on the fifth morning.

After India clawed their way back into match in the afternoon, Stokes’ gruelling efforts were reward with the wicket of Jasprit Bumrah to end a partnership with Ravindra Jadeja that lasted almost 22 overs.

Afterwards Stokes suggested it was the toughest of the “dark places” he has taken his body to during his career.

“He’s just desperate to be the man and make things happen,” Root said.

“Incredible effort to be able to do that.

“I was just panicking that he wasn’t going to make it through the game after a couple of bad injuries but he clearly trusts his body now.

“It’s a great sign for us moving forward. I mean it really is isn’t it, because that’s back to his best.”

Stokes was named player-of-the-match for his efforts, pipping Root who scored 104 in England’s first innings.

The runs meant Root reclaimed number one spot in the world batting rankings, however.

He replaces team-mate Harry Brook, who dropped down to third below New Zealand’s Kane Williamson.