England in the occurrence of Stokes' greatness, says Root
England captain Joe Root said his side was in "the occurrence of greatness" following all-rounder Ben Stokes' most recent commanding display in Monday's second Test against the West Indies at Old Trafford.
Stokes laid the platform for a 113-run victory that saw England level the three-match series at 1-1 with 176 in an initial innings of 469-9 declared.
Stokes was necessary to bat carefully in difficult conditions, a spot underlined by the actual fact it took him 255 balls to attain his century.
But Stokes' capability to adapt his game to several circumstances was brilliantly demonstrated during England's second innings when, promoted to start in a seek out quick runs, he struck 78 not out off simply 57 balls as West Indies were an imposing concentrate on of 312 to win.
Stokes' batting alone could have justified the man-of-the-match award he duly received, but he then proved his worth with the ball aswell.
The West Indies, having slumped to 37-4, kept the hosts at bay throughout a fifth wicket stand of precisely 100 between Shamarh Brooks and Jermaine Blackwood.
- 'Mr Incredible' -
Nonetheless it was paceman Stokes who broke the stand when, throughout a typically committed stint, he produced a short ball on the stroke of tea that Blackwood could only glove to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
"He's Mr Incredible. Perhaps," Root informed reporters as he compared Stokes to the cartoon superhero of the same name.
"I certainly suspect he will keep performing as of this level. I believe the sky's the limit for him really."
It's one matter to identify the time to up the tempo but another to do that as smoothly due to Stokes did found in this match, with the 29-year-old Durham star's natural talent now coupled to an elevated tactical awareness.
"To possess such a complete game, and so many different gears available, allows you the opportunity to keep improving," said Root.
Days gone by year has seen Stokes play an integral role in England's World Cup final win over his native New Zealand at Lord's before his staggering 135 not out secured a exceptional one-wicket victory over Australia in the 3rd Ashes Test at Headingley.
And Root, backside skippering England after missing West Indies' four-wicket win in the 1st Test -- where Stokes deputised as captain -- to wait the birth of his second child, forecast extra of the same from the team's talisman.
"If he continues to read situations the way he's, and retains the confidence that he's using at the moment, there's no reason why we can not continue to see such amazing performances as we have completed this week, and during the last 12 months really.
"I think everyone understands that we are viewing a new player at the peak of his powers, at the peak of world cricket, delivering again and again.
"We need to savour that, we must appreciate that and understand that we happen to be, without trying to pump his tyres an excessive amount of, in the occurrence of greatness."
With the finale in a nowadays campaign that marks international cricket's return following coronavirus lockdown starting at Old Trafford on Friday, Stokes gave England a scare when he couldn't complete the 15th over of his bowling spell.
"It was merely my body needs to receive really stiff. I'm fine," Stokes insisted.
"I'll offer everything to the team, whatever is asked of me. It's a case to do what's needed at that time."
