Joe Root: I expected too much from Ben Stokes in first Ashes Test

GEORGE DOBELL: Stokes came into the Brisbane Test having not played a first-class match since July and having not had a first-class innings since March

England were guilty of expecting too much of Ben Stokes in the first Test at Brisbane, according to Joe Root.

England have leaned heavily on Stokes in recent years. Quite apart from his World Cup heroics, he has turned several Tests – notably The Oval in 2017, Leeds in 2019, Manchester and Cape Town in 2020 and - on their heads with outstanding individual performances.

At other times (such as Chattogram in 2016), he has produced definitive performances at key times to clinch games which could have gone either way. As a result, there is, according to Root, a danger England start to see him as a “super hero” with unrealistic expectations.

Stokes came into the Brisbane Test having not played a first-class match since July and having not had a first-class innings since March. And, despite jarring his leg in the field early in the Australian innings, was still required to perform a role as a bowler. He managed 19 runs across his two innings and conceded 65 from 12 wicketless overs. By his standards, it was an unusually anodyne performance. He was unable to prevent England subsiding to a nine-wicket defeat.

But Root has provided a reminder, not least to himself, of Stokes’ imperfect preparation and urged onlookers to temper expectations as he battles to regain his finest form and fitness.

^{Ben Stokes in training on Tuesday (Mark Brake/Getty Images)}

“It was a huge ask [for him to play in Brisbane],” Root said. “And I’m probably guilty as much as anyone: I expected too much of him.

“I see him almost as a bit of a super hero. Look at what he’s done in the last couple of years when he’s played. At least once a series, maybe twice a series, he’s done something extraordinary which has won you a game on its own. You do get a little complacent about expecting that.

“It’s easy to forget that, on a big occasion like this, whether because he’s not played a huge amount or what he’s had to go through recently, I think there was a little bit too much on him.

“But you know the character he is: it will have motivated him even more now to put in one of those magical performances. Whether that comes this week or further down the series, I know it’s there, I know it’s going to come. It’s just when.

“More than anything, we need to look at where Ben is at physically. We always say he’s fine but we need to make sure we can get a full Ben Stokes out of the next Test match.”

England asked Stokes to demonstrate his fitness in the nets at Adelaide on Tuesday. He responded in impressive fashion. Not only did he bowl with impressive pace, but he struck his captain with several deliveries including one which hit him on the helmet. There was never any doubt he would play in the second Test – he is arguably the best player of fast bowling in the side – but he may well have proved his ability to perform as an all-rounder.

"We always say he’s fine but we need to make sure we can get a full Ben Stokes out of the next Test match"

If Stokes is deemed fully fit – and he will probably be required to back-up Tuesday’s performance in the nets with a similar showing on Wednesday – it might persuade England to leave Mark Wood out of their side for the second Test.

Wood bowled with impressive pace, skill and control in Brisbane but the management are keen not to over exert him and may rest him with a view to returning for the third Test.

Wood is understood to have recovered well from his first Test exertions, however, and is deemed fit to play. England may also be aware that he adds a little fibre to a tail which is looking uncomfortably long.

Root did clarify, however, that selection of the bowlers would not be decided by their ability with the bat.

“Wood’s pace is a great option to have,” Root said. “We’ll see what conditions look like but if he is fully fit he is a very tasty prospect to have in your armoury. Especially if the ball is going to move around as well as just be bowled with raw pace. He beat the bat 23 times in his first 24 overs which is so nice to see.

“He’s looked really, really good with the bat. He’s worked very hard at his batting. He was very disappointed with what he got out of the First Test so I’d expect a bit more from him as the series progresses.

^{Joe Root admits England may have expected too much of Stoke in Brisbane (Mark Brake/Getty Images)}

“But I think you have to trust your batters to score the majority of your runs. You have to play your four best bowlers. It’s so important to take 20 wickets. It’s something we’ve not always done very well on previous tours. But to win Tests, you’ve got to take 20 wickets. Of course runs are also very important but you ain’t winning unless you bowl sides out.”

While it’s almost 70 years since an England side have come behind to win an Ashes series in Australia, Root noted they have done so more recently (at the start of 2020) in South Africa. They have also taken encouragement from India’s ability to do the same thing on their last tour of Australia.

“We’ve spoken about that South Africa tour,” Root said. “We’ve been in similar situations before and found ways to get something from it.

“You could say India were, as well. They were far from their strongest XI by the end of that series but still found ways of winning. I think it shows a lot is possible out here and that, if you can stay really resilient and have real trust in yourself, your own game and the guys around you then you can certainly come out here and win.”

One thing is for sure: England’s chances of turning the series around are much better if Stokes is fit and firing.