BEN STOKES is ferociously determined to produce another match-winning performance in his first home match since being arrested.
Stokes plays in the First Test against Pakistan at Lord’s today with captain Joe Root revealing the all-rounder practises harder than anybody.
Root said: “You watch Ben train and he sets the standard. He is a stand-out. He does everything at match intensity and he helps drive it and take people with him.
“To have him around the squad is always a massive boost for us. His bowling will add to our attack and give us a different dimension. The lads like having him around.
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“He’s as excited as anyone, the first international week of the summer is very special. You can see he’s buzzing and desperate to get back out there.”
Stokes was arrested following a street fight in Bristol last September and has been charged with affray with two other men.
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His court appearance in August means he will miss the Lord’s Test against India but Root insisted that has not been mentioned in the dressing-room.
Root added: It’s not something we have over thought about. In terms of that game later in the summer, we’ll see where we are.”
Stokes was suspended from the Ashes tour but played both Tests in New Zealand earlier this year and for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.
The last time he played at Lord’s last September, Stokes took 6-22 against West Indies and was Man of the Match.
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