All eyes on England's Ben Stokes for second test against New Zealand
Expectations high for the all-rounder in follow-up to record-setting knock at Lord's
Ben Stokes will find himself the centre of attention when England face his native New Zealand in the second cricket test at Headingley in Leeds on Friday.
His 85-ball hundred, the fastest test century ever scored at Lord's in terms of balls faced, played a key role in turning the tide of the series opener, which England won by 124 runs to go 1-0 up in the two-match contest on Monday.
The key for [Ben Stokes] and the rest of us now is to make sure it is not a one-off and go on and do it again this week
The 23-year-old had already helped rescue England from the depths of 30 for four in their first innings by making 92 while adding 161 with Joe Root (98).
And, just for good measure, the Durham man took three for 38 on Monday's final day, including the wickets of danger man Kane Williamson and New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum in successive balls.
But Root is confident the all-rounder will not get carried away with the hype that followed his second test century, which came some 18 months after his first, in Perth.
"He will be fine," said 24-year-old Root of Stokes. "When he is batting, he is a free spirit; he goes and plays his shots and puts sides under pressure.
