Joe Root Delighted With The Return Of Ben Stokes For Ashes, Feels Stokes Is In A Place To Play Cricket Again

England test skipper Joe Root was very much excited to see Ben Stokes getting ready to play cricket again in the Ashes this year and welcomed the all-rounder from the break. Ben Stokes has been out of cricketing action for the last few months after taking an indefinite break from the game due to his mental health issues and to recover from the finger injury.

Stokes last played in a limited-overs series as the captain of England against Sri Lanka, and he led the team to a thumping series victory without major stars in the side. He is one of the best all-rounders going around in the world and brings a lot of value to any side he plays. He is not part of the T20 World cup 2021 squad for England and has recently been added to the squad for the Ashes series in December.

You Could Tell He Was So Much Happier Within Himself – Joe Root

Joe Root revealed that he has been enjoying the conversations with Ben Stokes during the time the latter has not been playing and added that he could identify the real happiness within Ben Stokes. He also noted that the excitement factor behind Stokes returning for Ashes is looming.

“I’d got an inkling. I’d had some good conversations with Ben over the period while he’s not been playing. It was just such a joy to hear him speak, you could almost hear his smile, if that makes sense, on the phone. You could tell he was so much happier within himself,”

“Just the fact he feels he’s in a place where he’s ready to play cricket again is the most exciting thing,” Joe Root spoke to Guardian.

Joe Root Feels Ben Stokes Has Always Been Very Honest

Joe Root mentioned that the English management wanted Stokes fully recovered, and even with the slightest of doubts, it would not be in the right space. He added that he and Stokes have been very good friends on and off the field and was very much relieved seeing him back in a good space of mind.

“We made it very clear to Ben, it’s got to be right for you. You have to be in the right space to go and play, physically and mentally. One thing about Ben, he’s very honest, he won’t shirk any difficult conversations and he’s been true to that through the whole thing,”

“We have been through a lot on and off the field. To see him now back in a place where he is able to enjoy his cricket again and feel more himself, that’s the best part of the whole thing. It’s just really exciting,” he added.

Joe Root has been in phenomenal form in the recent test series against India, and he will be key to England in the Ashes as well.

Also Read – Ben Stokes’ Inclusion In Ashes Squad Is A “Huge Positive” For England, Says Darren Gough