Not only does Root now have a player as good as Stokes, but he has an allrounder who balances the team, an experienced head and the sort of in-your-face character that is so vital in Australia who also happens to be one of his best mates. And normally by the time you are eating your turkey on an Ashes tour, England are at least two down.
It has been a while since Root has had access to his great all-rounder or his best team, and he had to go to Australia without him four years ago, too. So he would have been the happiest man in the world, I reckon, followed by coach Chris Silverwood, then Jack Leach, whose chances of getting a game as a specialist spinner have sky-rocketed.
It’s like Maximus returning to the Coliseum. Stokes taking the field will lift England. I was on the 2002-03 tour of Australia, when we were missing two players who were just so perfect for the whole occasion and experience: Andrew Flintoff and Darren Gough.
Denne historien er fra October 26, 2021-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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Denne historien er fra October 26, 2021-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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