Joe Root delivers an emotional farewell speech for Ben Stokes – There’s a lot running through me as a friend
Ben Stokes, on Wednesday, July 20, played his last ODI against South Africa at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. In five overs, he conceded 44 runs and failed to pick up a wicket. Moreover, he couldn’t get into double digits and got out while trying to play a reverse sweep.
Earlier, Stokes announced his retirement, saying that it has become extremely tough for him to perform with equal efficiency across all formats of the game. Stokes played 105 ODIs after his debut in 2011 and became one of England’s key players in the 50-over format.
Stokes, in the meantime, has captained the England Test team to victories in all four matches. After Stokes played his final ODI, Joe Root, the former England Test skipper, delivered an emotional dressing room speech for the veteran all-rounder.
Root mentioned that Stokes has changed the way ODI cricket is played. After giving the speech, as a token of appreciation, Root gave Stokes a bottle of champagne and congratulated him on a wonderful career in ODI cricket.
Root said, “You might have to bear with me a bit here lads because I don’t think anything I say will be able to sum up what I think of Ben. Obviously, a lot of emotions will be running through you. There’s a lot running through me as a friend. But just to some things I mean, your performances throughout your career. Some of the things you have achieved on the field have been extraordinary.
“Whether it be in the cup final, whether it be a number of other things that you’ve done. Fifers, hundreds, incredible pieces of fielding, But I think it’s also important to remember some of the things you have done have captured a nation. They have brought people to the games that have never watched it before.
“Been a part of the team and been a big part and a leader of a team that’s changed the way a lot of people around the world play white-ball cricket in its format. The same with kids now that want to bat, bowl and field because of the way you have gone about it and done it in an England shirt and they are incredible things to be to able to look back and say ‘Wow, I achieved it all’.
“From my personal point of view, from this whole group’s point of view, it’s been so much fun. It’s been a hell of a journey. We are all so proud of everything you have achieved. You’ve been an incredible player, an incredible bloke and as a small token of appreciation, we’ve got you some, something in here to Congratulations mate.”
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