(Photo) Ben Stokes effusive in lynchpin Joe Root’s praise

After registering a stunning win against New Zealand in the first Test, England skipper Ben Stokes went on all praise for Joe Root, England’s saviour after they were reduced to 69/4 at one stage in the second innings.

Root scored a brilliant 115 not out as England chased down a target of 277 with wicketkeeper Ben Foakes (32 not out) providing able support in an unbeaten alliance worth 120. Victory, achieved with a day and half to go, saw England to their second win in 18 Tests. When Root completed his 26th century in Tests he became the only player to have scored 10,000 runs within ten years of his debut in the format.

On being asked about Root, Stokes said, “Scoring a hundred and 10,000 runs – what a player, what a man.”