Joe Root says Ben Stokes can’t risk another demerit point

(Photo: Getty Images)

By Adam Ellis

England Test captain Joe Root wants Ben Stokes to be on his ‘best behaviour’ ahead of the first Test against New Zealand.

The all-rounder has three active demerit points next to his name and one more misdemeanour on the cricket square could see him given a one-Test ban by the ICC.

Stokes is set to play in his first Test since the home series against the West Indies last summer, after being temporarily suspended pending a police investigation into an incident outside a Bristol nightclub.

And Root had a word of caution for Stokes following this week’s events concerning the South Africa and Australia series.

“He’ll have to be on best behaviour,” Root said of Stokes.

“I’m sure there might be a bit of noise about that after what’s happened (to Kagiso Rabada) – about demerit points and missing games.”

Rabada reached his demerit point limit in the second Test against Australia to trigger a two-Test ban for the South Africa bowler. But the 21-year-old had has ban reduced on appeal.

And like Rabada is key to South Africa’s hopes of victory, Root knows England can’t afford to lose Stokes.

“You want to make sure, not just that (your players’ behaviour) is sitting well with you, but they’re able to be on the field for the next game and next series,” the Yorkshire batsman added.

“For me, it’s your team and you want to make sure you’re heading up this team, and if it’s portraying an image of something you don’t like then I suppose that’s on you.”