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Joe Root have ‘all options on the table’ as Stokes, Broad look ‘promising’ for first Ashes Test

England skipper Joe Root has said that one of the most discussed names in the squad for the upcoming Ashes series, Ben Stokes would be fit for the first Test of the series starting December 08 at Gabba in Brisbane. Root said Stokes has looked “promising” and he should be fit and raring to go for the first Test that will set the tone for a highly-anticipated Ashes series.

"I really hope so," Root responded to the question on Stokes’ availability for the first Test. "It's been remarkable to see how far he's come. It looks very promising. He's been brilliant. We've seen him at training, having him back amongst things is always great, so it's really nice to have him back involved."

Notably, Stokes was not part of the initial squad for the series and he was added into it after he declared his readiness to come back from an “indefinite break” from the game due to a complicated finger injury and mental health issues.

Joe Root also addressed the concerns over Stuart Broad’s fitness. Who missed the last three Tests of the series against India and would have missed the final one as well had Covid-19 not disrupted the series.

He said that Broad is bowling in the nets and is slowly getting on to the path of return towards full fitness. He ruled that bowlers are pulling up nicely and all should be ready for the first Test to give him “all options on the table”.

"He bowled today in the nets again, very light workloads at the minute, but it's good to see him back in and around things, and being able to get into it," Root said. "It's about getting those workloads back up again, with all the bowlers really, making sure that they are absolutely ready to go for that first Test match. We've got all options on the table."

It will be Joe Root’s second chance at winning the Ashes series in Australia as the captain of the England side. He had also led the side in the 2017-18 series but Australia were too strong for them and they ended up losing the series 3-1.

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“You don't come halfway around the world just to win a semi-final,” Jimmy Neesham dreams big for NZ

When the whole of New Zealand dugout was celebrating after Daryl Mitchell hit the winning runs against England, James Neesham and Kane Williamson were the mute spectators of that emotional outburst. It was more peculiar and eye-catching for Neesham to not react and celebrate as he is known for his wit and humour on social media. Later on, he justified his case while replying to a tweet and gave an insight of him meaning business just at the right time for the Blackcaps. He was the chief tormentor for Eoin Morgan’s England and changed the momentum in an 11-ball 27 innings towards the Kiwis’ favour but the absolute absence of emotions and later justification highlighted his hunger. He has doubled down on his hunger for the ultimate goal and ruled that they have not travelled so far from their homes to “ just to win a semi-final”. Neesham said that while the Blackcaps deserved to celebrate resoundingly after the heroic win over England, the larger goal of winning the T20 World Cup is still ahead of them and a bigger and grand celebration would come only after achieving that purpose. "It's a situation worthy of celebrating I guess - winning a semi-final - but you don't come halfway around the world just to win a semi-final," Neesham said. "We've got our sights pretty firmly set on the game in a few days' time... I'm personally, and we as a team, are not getting ahead of ourselves. One game to go and I'm sure there will be a bigger outpouring of emotion if we manage to get across the line.” When Neesham walked out to bat in the semi-final, the Blackcaps were in a precarious situation needing 54 runs off the last 29 balls. At the other end of the crease was Mitchell who was finding it tough to hit boundaries and was midway through a sluggish 40-ball 46 till the 16th over. The tide started to shift towards New Zealand as Neesham took the attack to Chris Jordan and deposited him twice into the stands to plunder 23 runs off him. He was ruthless in his approach and seemed to be on a mission that he has confirmed now. Neesham said that he was eyeing to hit every ball for six as he was feeling good about hitting and timing the ball. His onslaught rubbed onto Micthell as well and he took the initiative from the next over by hitting Rashid for a big six after Neesham’s whirlwind innings. "I just said to Daz [Daryl Mitchell], I hit CJ [Chris Jordan] for a six-second ball and Daz sort of came down and said: 'what do you think?' I just said I'm going to try and hit every ball for six," Neesham told NZC's media team. "It doesn't always come out of the middle but chunked a couple and got enough to get over the rope. Yeah, ended up doing reasonably comfortably in the end..”