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Joe Root hails ‘freak’ Ben Stokes after heroic century against Australia keeps England’s Ashes hopes alive


Ben Stokes was labelled a ‘freak’ by Joe Root after England’s remarkable win (Picture: Getty)

Joe Root branded Ben Stokes a ‘freak’ after his unbeaten 135 kept England’s Ashes hopes alive in an astonishing third Test at Headingley.

England looked defeated as they lost five wickets for 41 runs and slipped to 286-9 on a gripping fourth day in Leeds but Stokes dug in deep with one of the great knocks as the tail fell around him.

A stunning 76-run partnership with number 11 Jack Leach saw the hosts home over the line to level the series at 1-1 with the Old Trafford and Oval Tests remaining.

The incredible effort was both England’s record run chase and the 10th highest in history as they successfully bettered Australia’s total of 359.

‘Ben Stokes is a freak, he’s incredible,’ England captain Root told Sky Sports after the victory.

‘The message at the start was to just keep believing. If we had two people out there still breathing then we have a chance.

‘After Stokes got to 60-70 he looked like he wasn’t going to get out. To win a game on your own from there is just amazing. He does have recent experience of doing it. Just incredible to watch unfold.’

Greats of the game, Shane Warne and Ian Botham, ran out of superlatives describing Stokes’ sublime knock in Leeds.

Warne said: ‘Unbelievable stuff, high-octane cricket. The atmosphere, the intensity of the crowd and to control the game the way he did was just amazing.

‘To be here to witness something like that was super special.

‘Getting to know Ben Stokes over the last couple of years, he’s one of those guys that you want in the trenches with you.

Stokes’ 76-run partnership with Leach saw England home at Headingley (Picture: Getty)

‘He’s one of those guys that trains harder than I’ve ever seen anyone train, he’s an amazing cricketer, he’s a special talent.

‘You can have all that but you still need somebody to take the opportunity and if you had to choose one guy in that England side like that you would choose Ben Stokes.

‘You still have to get it done. It’s easy to say all that but the way he did was just unbelievable.’

Botham added: ‘It takes a remarkable man. I said this morning that somebody had to front up and somebody has to be strong and – I’ve banged Ben Stokes’ drum for a long time now – and I know other players, when they’ve seen him, you think there’s something special.

‘He’s is the special one, he is very, very valuable to cricket full stop, not just England.

‘He will sell the game worldwide and it really is so, so important. ‘He should enjoy every moment. Enjoy it, take it in but that was a really, really remarkable performance.’

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