JOE ROOT admits he expected too much from Ben Stokes in the First Test because he thinks he is a ‘superhero’.
Root believed Stokes could continue his spectacular feats of the past couple of years against Australia — despite not playing since July.
In the event, Stokes struggled in Brisbane, scoring five and 14 and taking 0-65 in 12 overs as England were thrashed by nine wickets.
The star all-rounder was short of form, confidence and match practice and also jarred his left knee while fielding.
But Root is sure Stokes will produce one of his match-winning performances at some stage in the next four Ashes Tests.
He could certainly do with something special from his big pal if England are to level the series in the pink ball Second Test in Adelaide, which starts tonight.
And there were promising signs at training on Tuesday when Stokes cranked up his bowling to maximum speed — and hit Root a couple of times on the body in the nets and once on the helmet.
Root said: “It was a huge ask for Ben and I’m probably as guilty as anyone — I expected too much of him because I see him almost as a bit of a superhero.
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“Look at what he’s done in the last couple of years. At least once a series, maybe twice a series, he’s done something extraordinary which has won a game on its own.
“And you do get a little complacent about expecting that. It’s easy to forget that on a big occasion like this, whether because he’s not played a huge amount or because of what he’s had to go through recently, there was a bit too much on him.
“But you know the character he is, it’ll have motivated him even more now to put in one of those magical performances.
“Whether that comes this week or further down the series, I know it’s there. I know it’s going to come — it’s just when.”
Stokes took a break from cricket to protect his mental health after a tumultuous few years and underwent further surgery on his troublesome left index finger.
He only declared himself available for this tour two weeks after the original squad was chosen. Before arriving in Australia, Stokes had not played a Test match since March.
England regard the two day/night Tests — the final match in Hobart next month is also under lights — as their best chance because of the potency of Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson.
But England have lost all three of their overseas pink ball matches while Australia’s record at home is played eight, won eight.
It will be impossible to force a positive result unless many England players, particularly the batsmen, improve significantly on their efforts in recent months.
England have seven Test centuries this year — Root has scored six of them and Rory Burns the other.
Burns has also registered six ducks — including being bowled by the first ball of the series.
At times, Root must feel like a one-man team but he is prepared to carry the failings of others on his shoulders.
Root insisted: “Rory is a very strong character. One thing you can never doubt is that side of his game.
“He’s someone who’ll get stuck in, he relishes a big occasion and he stands up to challenges.
“It’s a marathon not a sprint. These games come thick and fast and there will be opportunities to get ahead in this one.”
Spinner Nathan Lyon, who took his 400th Test wicket in Brisbane, reckons the Aussies can complete a whitewash.
He said: “I do believe we can win 5-0, for sure.
“If we prepare well and play the right positive brand of cricket under our new captain, there’s no reason why we can’t win 5-0.”
England would like to play a spinner in Adelaide but will probably opt to bring in Broad and Anderson for Chris Woakes and Jack Leach.
Josh Hazlewood is definitely out for Australia and David Warner is struggling with a rib injury. His absence would make them considerably weaker.
ENGLAND (likely): Burns, Hameed, Malan, Root (capt), Stokes, Pope, Buttler (wkt), Robinson, Wood, Broad, Anderson.
AUSTRALIA (likely): Harris, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Green, Carey (wkt), Cummins (capt), Starc, Lyon, Richardson.
