Joe Root: "I expected too much from" superhero "Ben Stokes" in Ashes

England captain Joe Root has admitted he was expecting too much from returning "superhero" Ben Stokes too soon after his team suffered a nine-wicket defeat in their first Test in Brisbane that led them to strike had to quickly go back in this week's day-night test in Adelaide.

Stokes scored 5 and 14 in his two innings in the Gabba calling for a no-ball.

Stokes wrote in his column in the Mirror criticizing his portrayal. "I didn't do anything other than catch a catch and throw some no-balls," he said, "so the upside is, I probably can't get much worse."

However, Root discovered firsthand Stokes' eagerness to make amends after being hit on the helmet during his hour-long bowling stint on the nets in Adelaide, and believes his teammate will be better able to set his own standards meet week after having had the chance to return to competition after a lengthy summer hiatus to improve his mental health while recovering from a severely broken finger.

"It was a big question and I'm probably as guilty as anyone else. I expected too much from him," said Root of Stokes' performance at the Gabba, his first competitive game since July 26th. "That's because I see him almost like that ... a bit like a superhero.

"Look at what he's been doing for the last few years when he's been playing; at least once in a series, maybe twice in a series, he's done something extraordinary that got us a game of its own. And you become one a bit complacent if that's what you expect. " .

"At such a big occasion, it's easy to forget if it's because he hasn't played a lot and what he's been through lately. I think it was a little too much on him. “But you know the character he is, it will have motivated him even more to perform one of these magical feats. Whether it comes this week or later on the show, I know it will. "

However, Root knows England can't afford another slow start for their star players in Adelaide. The team played catch-up from the first half hour in Brisbane and plunged to 11 for 3 after choosing to hit first and history doesn't suggest they will fight back.

Only once, under Len Hutton in 1954-55, did England win after losing their first Test in Australia, while Australia's Don Bradman-inspired 3-2 win in 1936-37 is the only campaign where a team beats one another has recovered a 0-2 deficit.

"It doesn't get any more difficult than that first day in Brisbane," said Root. "Especially for people who have never seen what an Ashes series is like in Australia. We know it won't get any more difficult so there are no excuses about that."

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England will likely welcome at least one of its two senior sailors to James Anderson and Stuart Broad, neither of whom played in Brisbane. But after witnessing Stokes' struggles to get up to speed on the series, Root understands that he doesn't overestimate their potential callbacks either.

"I think the only thing I would probably say - and it sounds ridiculous - is not to try too hard," he said. “They didn't play the first game, but they are world class performers, they know what they're doing and should trust what they have been doing for so long. Just go and be Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad when you get your chance. "

One major decision revolves around the fate of Jack Leach, England's weirdo, who was cracked for 102 runs in 13 overs in Brisbane but also had no opportunity to build pressure after England was thrown at 147 on day one.

"As difficult as it was for him, he had a few days to think about it, and I'm sure he'll want to get out of there in a minute," said Root. "Look at him when he was bowling: it was the best time to face the spin. We only had 150 on the board so it didn't work much in his favor. If we'd got into the game later, would have we expected it. " bowling him more.

"They made a big, bold statement that they were going to come out and attack him, pressure him, and when there are only 150 runs on the board and you're behind it's easy to do. But that is an integral part of test cricket. It doesn't get any harder for him. I'm sure he will come back strong. "