Ashes 1st Test: Don't write Ben Stokes off - Joe Root backs all-rounder to bounce back after Gabba hammering

Ashes, 1st Test: England captain Joe Root also said it was 'bitterly disappointing' to collapse on Day 4 morning after igniting hopes of a comeback at the Gabba. The visitors were hammered by 9 wickets as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the 5-match series on Saturday.

England captain Joe Root backed Ben Stokes, saying that it is not wise to write the star all-rounder after just one poor outing in the first Ashes Test. Root said Stokes will be eager on making a big say in the remainder of the 5-Test series.

Ben Stokes returned to competitive action after a lengthy break due to injury and mental health concerns. He had missed the home series against India, the second half of the Indian Premier League and the T20 World Cup before he was added in the eleventh hour to the Ashes squad.