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Chris Woakes says Ben Stokes\u2019 record-breaking 182 gave England a timely reminder of what they can achieve with his \u201csuperhuman\u201d skills.<\/p>\n
Stokes was in rampant form against New Zealand on Wednesday, making the country\u2019s highest ever ODI score in just his third innings since reversing his year-long retirement from the format.<\/p>\n
With England\u2019s World Cup defence less than three weeks away it was a perfect way for the man who carried them to victory in the 2019 final to prove his sense of occasion once again.<\/p>\n
Stokes has nothing left to prove on the big stage but watching him bully England\u2019s first World Cup opponents with nine sixes and 15 fours sent a wave of energy through the dressing room.<\/p>\n
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England went on to wrap up victory by a huge margin of 181 runs, another reminder that when he is in the side, the whole team walks a little taller.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe obviously see Ben as this superhuman that can do incredible things. We know he can,\u201d said Woakes, who picked up the baton with three early wickets in the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was great for the group and brilliant for Ben too. He\u2019s an unbelievable cricketer but coming back into the team having retired, it will do his confidence a world of good.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always have doubts and performance anxieties at the best of times, so it\u2019s great for his confidence and great for the team\u2019s confidence and belief that we can post huge scores.<\/p>\n
He struck it cleaner than anyone else out there<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was amazing to be here and play in the game because that was an incredible knock.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe struck it cleaner than anyone else out there. It just shows how good a player he is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since walking away from 50-over cricket last summer citing workload issues, Stokes has poured his energies into his role as Test captain.<\/p>\n
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Working closely with head coach Brendon McCullum, he has revitalised the red-ball set-up, flipping their fortunes in dramatic fashion and playing out a thrilling drawn Ashes series that gripped the nation.<\/p>\n
Woakes feels that stepping back into the ranks under Jos Buttler\u2019s leadership, and operating as a specialist batter rather than all-action all-rounder, is a good thing for Stokes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think him coming back into this team is probably a refreshing feeling for him, without the captaincy on his shoulders. To run the England Test team is a tough job,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s probably seen this as a breath of fresh air, to play his natural game and be his natural person, which he always does.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis group of players who have been around this team for a long time, always feel comfortable when we come back together.\u201d<\/p>\n
England\u2019s World Cup squad has one more game together before departing for India, wrapping up their clash with the Black Caps at Lord\u2019s on Friday.<\/p>\n
There is hope that Jason Roy and Mark Wood will be fit for selection, with both sidelined for each of the last three matches. Roy has been laid low twice by back spasms and Wood has been kept in cotton well since ending the Ashes with a heel problem.<\/p>\n
Roy, in particular, will be eager to feel bat on ball. Dawid Malan made 96 at opener on Wednesday to position himself as a viable alternative and Harry Brook continues to linger as a possible replacement should Roy\u2019s fitness continue to raise questions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s hopeful. This close to a World Cup it\u2019s a bit of a risk to throw him into a game when you\u2019re unsure as to how he\u2019s going to go,\u201d said Woakes.<\/p>\n
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\u201cFingers crossed he\u2019s alright. I\u2019m sure he\u2019s desperate to get out there and I\u2019m sure he\u2019s frustrated as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cPre-World Cup you want to get a bit of form behind you and play as many games as possible but he\u2019s a resilient character; the lads have got around him and I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n