Ben Stokes hails Joe Root as the "Best in the world"

Ben Stokes and Joe Root once again came to the rescue for their team and stitched a crucial partnership in the second Test against West Indies. Joe Root then registered his 12th consecutive half-century in Tests, equalling AB de Villiers’ all time highest record of consecutive fifty plus scores. After the end of the first day, Stokes hailed Root as one of the best in the world, if not the best.

He also was impressed with a fact that captaincy has not affected his run-amassing ability by any stretch of imagination. The all-rounder registered his 6th Test century on day 1 and helped his side crawl past the 250 mark. Joe Root stood for a long time as well and scored a valiant 59 off 98 balls.

“He’s a hell of a player. He has been for a long time now and the captaincy hasn’t affected his run-scoring ability whatsoever. If anything, it’s made him into a better player, if that’s possible,” said Stokes.

His record speaks on his behalf

Right from the moment Joe Root, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson started hogging the limelight, comparisons between these players were inevitable. All these players are captaining their sides across all formats barring Joe Root, who is currently in charge of the Test side whilst Eoin Morgan is leading both the limited overs sides.

Ben Stokes reckons their team is blessed with one of the best players in the world, if not the best. He also added that the way he amasses runs and breaks records time and again speaks volumes of his caliber. Joe Root currently has 5,191 runs in 58 Tests at an average of 54.07, which includes 13 centuries and 30 half-centuries.

“There are guys around the world who are known as the best players in the world and we’ve got one of them if not the best. The records he’s managed to break, the runs he’s scoring are showing why he is.”