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Follow UsEngland Test skipper Joe Root is “absolutely thrilled” to have Ben Stokes back in the squad for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia. The ace allrounder had taken a break from the game in July to focus on his mental wellbeing while also recovering from a finger injury he had suffered during the first leg of the IPL. Stokes was added to England’s squad after he made himself available for the big series, starting in Brisbane from December 8.
"Obviously, it's massive news. Speak to anyone within the game, whether they'd prefer to have Ben in their team or not, and everyone would say they would. On a personal level, I'm just absolutely thrilled that he's in a place where he can get back playing and enjoy the sport once again," Root said on the eve of the Test specialists' departure.
"Although we all know what Ben is capable of, we're still managing expectations. He's been out of the game a long time, he's had a serious injury and he's got a lot of work to do to get himself back to the Ben Stokes we all know. But if there's one thing we can bet on with Ben it's that he'll do everything he can to ready himself and then put in performances that help England win games of cricket."
Stokes has a pretty solid record against Australia in the longest format of the game. The left-handed batter has scored 921 runs in 14 Tests at an average 38.38 against Australia. It was him who single-handedly helped England chase down 359 at Headingley in the previous Ashes series. On top of that, he has also taken 34 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, against Australia.
"He's a massive asset in many respects. First and foremost, his performances on the field, especially what he has done against Australia in the recent past. But also the way that he plays his cricket. Look at where we are going: we are going to have periods of play where it's going to be very challenging. We're going have to have people stick their hands up and grab the game - he is someone who will always do that.
"He'll lead from the front in that respect, he is a brilliant leader in the dressing room and people follow him. They look at how he works, how he practices, how he goes about his cricket. And they all want to go along with him. That's a great trait to have, along with being capable of performing how he does. It's a huge boost for balancing the side as well, as he has done for such a long time now. Everything about the way he goes about things is going to be great for us."
Root himself is currently in the form of his life. The right-handed batter has amassed 1455 runs in 12 Tests this year. He averages over 66 and has slammed six centuries, studded with four 180-plus scores. He is also the top-ranked batter in Test cricket and is "desperate" to improve his record in Australia. He averages 38 in Australia and is yet to score a Test hundred despite playing nine Tests Down Under.
"I probably wanted it too much, I was too desperate, and it had probably a negative impact on the way I played," he said of his previous tours. "I put too much pressure on myself, and I think one of the things that has really helped me this year is stripping a little of that back, really going and enjoying my cricket, and my batting, and I have a bit more clarity and understanding of my own game.
"One thing I have got coming into this series is a lot more evidence and information on those conditions than the last two tours. That will stand me in good stead as well. And making sure we are fully prepared for what we are coming up against. Australia's attack has been very similar for a long period of time now, there's a lot of information and knowledge that we can prepare ourselves for ahead of the series if we put that work and practice in, and making sure that we are ready to face and counter whatever's thrown at us."