Root admits he expected ‘too much’ from ‘superhero’ Stokes in first Ashes Test

Ben Stokes’ return to the England Test team for the Ashes was met with real excitement, but just like the whole of Joe Root’s side in Brisbane – the all-rounder struggled to find his form

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Stokes hits Root in the head with a bouncer in nets session

England skipper Joe Root has admitted he is as ‘guilty as anyone’ for expecting too much from the returning Ben Stokes during the opening Ashes Test against Australia.

England already face a mountain to climb to reclaim the urn after they were thrashed by Australia by nine wickets in the first Test at the Gabba in in Brisbane.

There was plenty of expectation on Stokes’ shoulders ahead of his return, having come back into the side following a five-month hiatus from the sport to focus on his mental wellbeing and recovery from a troublesome finger injury.

But unsurprisingly, after so long out, Stokes struggled against an upbeat Australian side – having been dismissed for five and 14 with the bat while sending down 12 wicketless overs as he found it tough to rediscover his rhythm.

And ahead of the squad announcement, Root has since admitted that it was a massive ask for Stokes to play at The Gabba – which is certainly not a happy hunting ground for England.

Root told reporters: “It was a huge ask for Ben last week and I’m probably guilty as much as anyone, I expected too much of him because I see him almost as a bit of a superhero.

“Look at what he’s done in the last couple of years when he’s played and at least once a series, maybe twice a series, he’s done something extraordinary which has won a game on its own.

“You do get a little complacent about expecting that. It’s easy to forget that on a big occasion like this whether it’s because he’s not played a huge amount or also what he’s had to go through recently, I think there was a little bit too much on him.

“But you know the character he is, it will 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.”

An announcement on England’s bowling attack for the floodlit pink ball Adelaide Test – which gets underway on Thursday – will only be made once the selectors have decided how much of the load Stokes can take after so long out.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad are expected to return to England’s side after they were left out of the opening Test.