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| Stokes keeps his promise with Root, makes 'a bowler' out of the premier batter | | |  Agencies
VISAKHAPATNAM, Feb 1: Ben Stokes was on a mission to mould a bowler out of premier batter Joe Root, and the maverick England skipper can afford himself a satisfactory chuckle seeing his venture coming to fruition in the first Test against India in Hyderabad. Root had picked up five wickets in that match, four in the first inning and the all-important scalp of in-form KL Rahul in the second dig, to play a significant part in England's stunning come-from-behind 28-run victory.
Root got the ball to turn at a good pace and his straighter one also troubled the Indian batters..
With left-arm spinner Jack Leach out of the second Test, Root will be expected to shoulder more responsibility in an inexperienced spin department.
He had bowled 48 overs in the first Test.
"I did always say to Joe I thought he under-bowled himself as captain, and when he walked off with four-fer I did say to him, 'see, I told ya I'd make a bowler out of ya'.
"Having someone like that out here who is not only someone to throw the ball to and change the pace of the game up - he's bowled me lots of overs, Joe has - then having him batting at four and the runs he's scored and how important he is to us.
"To also have the benefit of Joe's bowling out here is obviously massive. I'm surprised he's not actually mentioned he's nipped above me, but I think we're just two people who don't really care about stuff like that," said Stokes on the eve of the second Test.
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