Ben Stokes’ unstoppable nature gave England the jitters at sensational climax

Batter Joe Root admitted he was “panicking” during Ben Stokes’ marathon bowling spells against India but said they show the England captain “trusts his body” and is a “great sign moving forward”.

Stokes bowled a tireless spell of 9.2 overs in the morning before another of 10 overs in the afternoon session on Monday as he inspired England to beat India by 22 runs in the third Test.

England’s talisman only returned to bowling in May after undergoing hamstring surgery for the second time in six months in January.

Root, who was England captain before Stokes took over in 2022, said he discussed the idea of Stokes coming out of the attack on the field but the 34-year-old opted to continue.

“He doesn’t always listen to me,” Root said. “He didn’t listen to me when I was captain.

“But, no, he knows what he’s doing and he’s got a good handle on where he’s at physically. It was an incredible effort.”

Bowling lengthy spells have been a feature of Stokes’ career - he did so in the famous 2019 Ashes win at Headingley under Root’s captaincy - but were supposed to be a thing of the past as he fulfils his role as fourth seamer after surgery.

Stokes bowled a seven-over spell on the third evening and coach Brendon McCullum sent bowling coach Tim Southee to tell the captain to stop bowling.

After the first day vice-captain Ollie Pope said one of his roles is to “make sure he doesn’t push himself to a ridiculous place”.

But Stokes bowled 44 overs across the Lord’s Test - the most of any bowler in the match.

(BBC sport)