Cricket: Versatile Stokes is getting 'better and better' - Root

Reaction from England captain Joe Root and all-rounder Ben Stokes on Monday after England squared their three-match Test series against West Indies with a 113-run victory at Old Trafford in Manchester. Ben Stokes delivered crucial contributions with bat and ball once again for the home side - having already put England in charge after a patient 176 in the first innings, Stokes switched to limited-overs mode to smash an unbeaten 78 off 57 balls early on day five, allowing Joe Root to declare on 129-3 and set the tourists an unlikely victory target of 312. West Indies were reduced to 37-4 after 15 overs of their reply, but a fifth-wicket stand of 100 between Shamarh Brooks (62) and Jermaine Blackwood (55) gave them hope of a draw heading into the final over before tea. Then Stokes - described later by Root as "Mr. Incredible", made the breakthrough as Blackwood gloved a delivery down the leg side to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, igniting England's charge. There was some defiance by the lower order in the final session, but spinner Dom Bess took two wickets - including the last one of Kemar Roach to a diving Ollie Pope at short leg - and England took the series to a decider. The third Test starts on Friday and will also be in Manchester.