England captain Joe Root has opened up about the emotional phone call where Ben Stokes informed him that he would be joining the squad for the Ashes.
Stokes has been out of action since July, having taken a break from cricket to focus on his mental wellbeing and recovery from a finger injury.
However, last week Stokes declared himself ready to return and was added to the Ashes squad in what will be a major boost to England's chances of beating Australia.
In an interview with the Guardian, Root said that he is delighted to welcome Stokes back, revealing: "I can’t remember exactly what I said when he called. I just remember having a massive grin on my face for the next couple of days.
"I’d got an inkling [that Stokes was ready to return]. I’d had some good conversations with Ben over the period while he’s not been playing.
"It was just such a joy to hear him speak, you could almost hear his smile, if that makes sense, down the phone. You could tell he was so much happier within himself.
"Just the fact he feels he’s in a place where he’s ready to play cricket again is the most exciting thing.
"We made it very clear to Ben, it’s got to be right for you. You have to be in the right space to go and play, physically and mentally.
"One thing about Ben, he’s very honest, he won’t shirk any difficult conversations and he’s been true to that through the whole thing.
"We have been through a lot on and off the field. To see him now back in a place where he is able to enjoy his cricket again and feel more himself, that’s the best part of the whole thing. It’s just really exciting."
In his column for Mirror Sport, Stokes also opened up about his phone call with Root, saying: "I’m buzzing for the Ashes. Just buzzing.
"To be able to confirm to Joe Root that I would be available to join the tour from the start after my second successful surgery on my finger was a great moment.
"Rooty’s reaction when I told him was simply ‘Oh bloody hell, that’s good.’ He said it was great to hear me sounding so well and that is the truth of it."
