Joe Root says Ben Stokes return is huge boost to England for New Zealand Test series
Written by News on 21/03/2018
England captain Joe Root says the return of Ben Stokes to the side is a “huge boost” ahead of their two-Test series against New Zealand.
The Durham all-rounder was unavailable for most of the winter having waited to hear until the New Year to hear he would be charged with affray following an altercation outside a Bristol nightclub last September.
With a court date now set for August 6, Stokes has been cleared to play red-ball cricket against the Black Caps and Root is delighted to have a player of his ability available who can turn a game with bat, ball and in the field.
“You get three players with Ben, and certainly on his day probably the best three players within the side all in one,” Root said ahead of the opening day-night Test in Auckland, live on Sky Sports.
“It is a huge boost to have him coming back into the team. We have to be quite careful and make sure he is absolutely ready and be quite flexible with how we use him, especially in the first Test.
“He’s very focused on what he needs to do. Credit to him, he’s been able to manage that really well.”
After losing the Ashes series in Australia 4-0, England recovered to beat New Zealand 3-2 in an intriguing one-day series and Root is hoping for similar success in the Test arena.
“It has been a tough winter until now, but we have two Test matches to put a different stamp on it and change our momentum,” he added.
“It is a big series for us coming from a big defeat like the Ashes, so we need to make sure we put that right and come away with some success overseas – because it’s not happened for a while.”
Watch the opening Test between New Zealand and England. Day one coverage begins at midnight on Wednesday night on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event.
(c) Sky News 2018: Joe Root says Ben Stokes return is huge boost to England for New Zealand Test series
