Chennai, Feb 6 (UNI) Star all-rounder Ben Stokes on Saturday has hailed Joe Root for his stellar 218-run knock, saying that he is the England's greatest-ever player of spin bowling and half of the team's batsmen can't tackle the spinners like their captain does.
Playing in his 100th Test, Root compiled his fifth double century on the second day of the opening Test against India here. During his nine-hour vigil, Root produced a spin masterclass for all the visitors who often struggle against the turning ball in India's spin-friendly pitches.
'Yeah, it makes us all feel, you know, pretty rubbish (laughs), the way he, how easy he makes batting look. And yeah, I was quite surprised he ran down the wicket and hit a six to bring up a double (century),' Stokes, who contributed a breezy 82 and dominated his 124-run stand with the captain, said during a virtual press conference.
'He is in phenomenal form and just makes things look very, very easy and the way that he plays spin, dominates spin and it's incredible to watch. I don't think half the England batsmen ever play spin in the way that he does.
He's just got options, he has got an option for everything that's thrown at him and yeah, it is just a delight to watch him at the moment,' he added.
With Root's monumental 218 and Stokes' knock, England reached 555 for eight by stumps.
England have batted for 180 overs in the match and Stokes revealed that his team will love to spend another one hour on the crease on Sunday.
'There were no thoughts whatsoever of a declaration tonight because I'll be stupid if we won the toss and bat first, you just get as many runs as you can out here in India,' Stokes said.
'And if we can bat for another hour tomorrow, you know, we would be very happy with that,' he added.
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