England’s Test skipper Joe Root said that he expected too much from all-rounder Ben Stokes in the first Test of Ashes 2021-22 in Gabba. The first match saw Australia thumping England by 9 wickets to go 1-0 up in the five-Test series.
The match also saw premier English all-rounder Ben Stokes come back to international cricket after taking a break since July this year to heal his finger and for mental health reasons. However, his return to the game wasn’t up to the expectations many had from him.
Stokes scored only 19 runs and bowled 12 wicketless overs and also bowled a host of no-balls in the first Test.
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Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, England skipper Joe Root admitted that he expected too much from Ben Stokes in the Gabba Test and he’s as guilty as anyone. He remarked that he considers all-rounder a ‘superhero’ as over the years at least once or twice in series he has won them a game on his own.
"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," Joe Root said.
Root said that considering what Stokes has gone through recently it was a bit too much expected from him. He pointed out that the kind of character the all-rounder is, it will motivate him even more to put magical performances.
"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 said.
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While talking about Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, who missed the first Test, Root said that they know what they are doing and they should trust themselves to do what they’ve done for so long.
"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," he said.
The second Test of Ashes 2021-22, which will also be a pink-ball Test, will begin from 16th December in Adelaide.
(ANI inputs)
