"He under-bowled himself as captain" - Ben Stokes takes credit for Joe Root's success in 1st Test
Published - 01 Feb 2024, 06:42 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:26 AM
England Test skipper Ben Stokes expressed satisfaction with Joe Root’s bowling performance during the first Test of the five-match series against India. Ben Stokes acknowledged Joe Root’s valuable dual contribution as a bowler and a batter in the number four position.
Joe Root displayed his bowling prowess in the first Test match, securing five crucial wickets across both innings. The off-spinner dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah. He bagged crucial KL Rahul’s wicket in the second innings.
The 33-year-old will be a key asset for the visiting team in the upcoming match, especially with Jack Leach sidelined for the second Test. Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley played two Tests and one, respectively. Shoaib Bashir has yet to make his debut for England.
Joe Root Under Bowled Himself As Captain – Ben Stokes
Speaking ahead of the second Test, Ben Stokes jokingly took credit for turning Joe Root into a bowler. He highlighted the significance of having Root’s bowling skills, in addition to his batting prowess, for the team.
“I did always say to Joe I thought he under-bowled himself as captain, and when he walked off with four-fer I did say to him, ‘see, I told ya I’d make a bowler out of ya’,” Stokes said.
“Having someone like that out here who is not only someone to throw the ball to and change the pace of the game up – he’s bowled me lots of overs, Joe has – then having him batting at four and the runs he’s scored and how important he is to us,” he added.
“To also have the benefit of Joe’s bowling out here is obviously massive. I’m surprised he’s not actually mentioned he’s nipped above me, but I think we’re just two people who don’t really care about stuff like that.”
The Ben Stokes-led team secured a 28-run victory in the recent match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The visiting team successfully defended 231 runs in the final innings. Tom Hartley ran through the Indian lineup, taking seven wickets.
James Anderson Has Different Skillsets – Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes acknowledged the variety of skill sets that James Anderson brings to the bowling attack, given his impressive record in India. Stokes emphasized Anderson’s contribution to the team, even when he wasn’t playing.
“Bringing Jimmy’s experience, the class that he has, is great and I think it also goes under the radar how good his record in India is. “Considering what Jimmy is going for – ‘the swing king’ and all that – it just proves how good a bowler he is. He has different skillsets that I will be able to exploit in Indian conditions.”
James Anderson returned to the England playing XI for the second Test, which is set to commence on Friday, February 2, in Visakhapatnam. The 41-year-old has picked up 34 wickets on Indian soil in red-ball cricket, maintaining an average under 30.
Also read: Nasser Hussain taken aback by Ben Stokes’ and Brendon McCullum’s last-minute call
