Ace England batter Joe Root has said that he has spoken to Ben Stokes several times over the last week and he would like to keep those conversations private, adding that Stokes himself should answer how he is feeling and it wouldn’t be appropriate for anyone else to comment.
With Stokes ruled out of the Oval clash after breaching a midnight curfew alongside teammate Gus Atkinson, Root agreed to take over the leadership, leading England for the first time since 2022.
Root, who is a close friend of Stokes, could lead England again in the third Test at Trent Bridge, which starts just three days after the scheduled finish at the Oval.
“I have spoken to him several times over the last week or so. We are close friends and I think they should stay as privileged
conversations between me and him. When it comes to how Ben is feeling, how he is, I think they are all questions that he should be answering himself,” Root said while speaking at the pre-match press conference.
England will take on New Zealand in the second Test of the three-match series from Wednesday at the Kennington Oval in London.
“I am sure, at the right time and when he is ready, he will. I am sure he has this respect of everyone in our dressing room. He has been a phenomenal leader for the last four years and the way he has captained has been brilliant,” Root said.
“He is a talismanic player and a great friend to a number of the guys, so of course there is a huge amount of respect there from everyone,” Root added.
Stokes and Atkinson were involved in an incident at a London nightclub while celebrating England’s first Test win against New Zealand, according to reports, sparking controversy and internal concern.
