‘He’s Mr Incredible’: England Skipper Root Hails Stokes Heroics With The Willow In Test Win At Manchester

Speaking to reporters after the match at the post-match presentation ceremony, Root said: “He’s Mr Incredible. I suppose. I certainly think he can keep performing at this level. I think the sky’s the limit for him really.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 20: Ben Stokes of England celebrates with Joe Root and teammates after taking the wicket of Alzarri Joseph of West Indies during Day Five of the 2nd Test Match in the #RaiseTheBat Series between England and The West Indies at Emirates Old Trafford on July 20, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images for ECB)

England skipper Joe Root lauded all-rounder Ben Stokes' stellar contribution with both the willow and red cherry in the hosts massive 113-win over West Indies in the 2nd Test at Old Trafford in Manchester on Monday. Stokes was one of the main architects in helping the host draw level in the 3-match series as he not only scored a patient 176-run in the first innings, but also tonked 78 runs in 57 balls after opening the 2nd innings and helping his team set up a daunting 312 target for the Windies to chase. Speaking to reporters after the match at the post-match presentation ceremony, Root said: “He’s Mr Incredible. I suppose. I certainly think he can keep performing at this level. I think the sky’s the limit for him really.” “To have such a complete game, and so many different gears at your disposal, allows you the ability to keep getting better,” Root added. “If he continues to read situations the way he is, and keeps the confidence that he’s playing with at the moment, there’s no reason why we can’t continue to see such brilliant performances as we have done this week, and over the last 12 months really,” he further said. Speaking on his match winning performances with the willow in both the innings for England, Stokes, who deserving got the the man of the match said that he had to play different roles in both the innings. “Both completely different roles, last night and this morning was simple in terms of what we needed to do to get ahead of the game,” the allrounder said at the post-match presentation ceremony. “A lot of credit has to go to the spell the bowlers bowled yesterday - Broad, Woakes, Curran and Bess. There are discussions, but Joe has the final call on when I bowl. He made a positive effort to get Jos and me up the order. Looking at the scoreboard and seeing 300 balls faced was quite strange (laughs). Never thought I’d ever see that,” the batsman added.