Ben Stokes put on yet another stellar all-round show as England registered a comprehensive 113-run victory in the second Test against West Indies at Old Trafford. By virtue of this win, the hosts also levelled the series 1-1, with one Test still to go.
Stokes, who led the team in Joe Root’s absence in the series opener at Southampton, scored 176 and 78 not out across the two innings in Manchester and also picked up three wickets in the game.
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For his brilliance with the bat and ball, Stokes was deservedly awarded Player-of-the-Match and skipper Root hailed him as 'Mr. Incredible' after the series-levelling victory.
"Everyone understands that we are watching a player at the peak of his powers at the peak of world cricket, who is delivering time and time again," Root said, according to PTI.
"We have to savour that, appreciate that and we have to understand that we are - without wanting to pump his tyres too much - in the presence of greatness," he added.
"He's a genuine all-rounder player, something you don't see much in world cricket. He's someone you can genuinely turn to any time and he'll change you a game. He's Mr. Incredible! He probably looks a bit the like the cartoon character, too! He's a similar shape, but probably a bit skinnier than him now. Ben can come in and play through a range of gears and situations - it shows how valuable he is to our team," he continued.
Stokes, 29, was instrumental in England's maiden 50-over World Cup victory last year and also helped his team draw the home Ashes series with an iconic knock of 135 not out at Headingley.
"He doesn't surprise me. You watch how he goes about his business in practice whether it be fitness or anything, he leads the way in many respects. The sky is the limit for him. He seems to want to keep getting better and better and we're seeing those results out on the field.
"It's great for a lot of the young guys to see that - you've got to put the hard yards in and he certainly does that. We're starting to see that feed into the rest of the team, which is a great place to be," the England captain remarked.
The third and final Test will be played on the same ground, starting July 24.
(With PTI inputs)
