Root: You get three players with Stokes
England skipper Joe Root welcomed the return to the Test squad of allrounder Ben Stokes ahead of the first Test against New Zealand.
Root feels that Stokes’ versatility and ability in all three facets of the game make him a player who would improve any team.
The skipper told Sky Sports: “You get three players with Ben, and certainly on his day probably the best three players within the side all in one.
“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.”
ALSO READ: Williamson: Taylor good to go for first Test
Root is desperate for England to put a positive tint to an otherwise disappointing winter downunder having lost the Ashes 4-0.
He added: “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.
“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.”
England and New Zealand meet in the first of two Tests in Auckland starting on Thursday.
Latest
-
NewsDawid Malan’s unbeaten 99 propels England to third T20 win over South Africa
The win sees England leapfrog Australia at the top of the world T20 rankings.
-
NewsDawid Malan failed maths test on race to hundred but needs no batting lessons
The world-leading Twenty20 batsman fired England to victory in Cape Town and a series whitewash with his 99-run knock.
-
NewsDawid Malan smashes 99 runs as England clinch series whitewash in South Africa
A staggering stand worth 167 in just 85 balls saw Eoin Morgan’s men rise to the challenge of playing on a used pitch at Newlands.
-
NewsSouth Africa launch late blitz to set England 192 to win third T20 in Cape Town
Van der Dussen clubbed a relentless 74 not out from 32 balls and Du Plessis made 54no from 37.
-
NewsRabada ruled out of ODI series with groin strain
South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against England with a strain to his groin.
-
NewsKnight Riders Group invests in American T20 tournament
Shah Rukh Khan’s Knight Riders Group have invested in an upcoming American T20 competition as they aim to get a foothold in the US.
-
NewsHamilton and Broad the first two nominees up for SPOTY
The other four hopefuls will be revealed throughout Tuesday on the BBC’s various platforms.
-
NewsHolder set for BBL stint with Sydney Sixers
West Indies captain Jason Holder will join up with the Sydney Sixers squad in late December and is expected to feature in three BBL matches.
-
NewsChris Woakes confident England on course for T20 World Cup success
The Warwickshire all-rounder expects to be cheering on from home when his team-mates try to complete a unique double in India next year.
-
NewsBairstow primed for Test return in Sri Lanka
Jofra Archer is being considered for a rest for the rearranged two-match series.