Joe Root steered England to a brilliant five wicket win to kick off Ben Stokes’ new era in style.
Just as Stokes had been his right hand man, delivering the goods throughout Root’s own reign, the 31-year-old repaid the favour at the very first time of asking to make it an extra special first Test of the summer.
Fittingly it was Root who pulled the winning runs away to the leg side boundary to finish 115 not out as England chased down the 277 target with wicket-keeper Ben Foakes the perfect foil at the other end.
