England captain Joe Root on Monday said he did not “feel comfortable” naming his team for the first Ashes Test, but he left little doubt that Ben Stokes would be in it.
All-rounder Stokes was a late addition to the squad after taking an indefinite break from the game in July to focus on his mental health, while also recovering from a second operation on a broken finger.
Stokes, who tortured Australia with an unbeaten 135 at Headingley to pull off an improbable run chase in the 2019 Ashes, made light of his long layoff by taking 2/31 and scoring 42 not out against the England Lions last week.
“It’s really been good to see Ben back involved in the frame of things and to get into the limited game time that we had, and to look as good as he did as well,” Root told reporters at the Gabba. “I always know that when he gets into that game, he’ll want to put his mark on it, put his stamp on it.”
Asked about whether he would need to manage the number of overs Stokes bowled, Root said it was important not to pile too much expectation on the 30-year-old after four months on the sidelines. “Our whole bowling group, collectively, we can work together to take those wickets,” Root said.
“I’m sure Ben will have a big say in that. It’s something we’ll be definitely working on to get right this whole series, particularly in that first game.”
No mind games
England last won a Test at the Gabba in 1986 and Root said he was not in any rush to announce the side he hopes will break that 35-year hoodoo, despite his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins naming his team on Sunday.
Root skirted issues around the makeup of his batting and bowling line-ups. He chose not to discuss whether Haseeb Hameed might retain his place in England’s top three or whether Jonny Bairstow or Ollie Pope might bat at No. 6. Nor did he address the question of whether veteran quicks James and Stuart Broad might both play.“I’m not into mind games, I’m just not in a position right now to name my team,” he said. “Fair play that they’ve announced their 11. Doesn’t really concern me or change anything from our perspective.
“We’ll conduct our business how we want to and let you know when we’re ready.”
How’s the pitch
Root said he had not yet seen the Gabba pitch and couldn’t venture a view on whether he might bowl first if he wins the toss Wednesday. He received the news from an Australian journalist that the pitch looks green, as nothing more than one might expect with a fast bowler as Australia'’s captain.
“Pat’s already put a stamp on things as a fast bowler and captain of Australia,” Root said.
“We’ll have a look and if it’s green, let’s see how it looks again on Tuesday and on the morning of the game. I’ve not got any clear idea of what I want to do at the toss as yet. We’ll leave that as late as possible.”
According to reports in the Australian media, the Gabba pitch is set to sport a green-top.
“The wicket has a good coverage of grass that will hopefully aid in producing a traditional Gabba pitch, as long as the weather plays its part.” curator David Sandurski was quoted as saying by news.com.au. “Rolling is a key indicator of how to get a good wicket, but you also need the wind and the sun to finish it off, to bake it and get it rock-hard,” Sandurski added.
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