Joe Root paid an emotional tribute to close friend Ben Stokes after the England Test captain played his final ODI, calling him "an incredible player" and "an incredible bloke".
Stokes announced his retirement from the format ahead of the match, describing England's current schedule as "unsustainable". And Root delivered an emotional speech about Stokes' ODI career, with the all-rounder memorably playing the match winning innings in England's 2019 Cricket World Cup triumph.
In his speech, Root stated that Stokes had "captured a nation" with his on-field exploits and inspired children to "bat, bowl and field because of the way you have gone about it". In a video posted on social media by England, Root said: "I don't think anything I say will be able to sum up what I think of Ben.
"Obviously, a lot of emotions will be running through you. There's a lot running through me at the minute as a friend, but just to some things, I mean your performances throughout your career.
"Some of the things you've achieved on the field have been extraordinary. Whether it be in the [World] Cup final, whether it be a number of other things that you've done.
"Fifers, hundreds, incredible pieces of fielding. But I think it's also important to remember, some of the things that you've done have captured a nation.
"They've brought people to the game that have never watched it before. Been a part of the team and been a big part and a leader of a team that's changed the way a lot of people around the world play white ball cricket in its format.
"The same with kids now that want to bat, bowl and field because of the way you have gone about it and done it in an England shirt and they are incredible things to be able to look back on and say, 'Wow, I achieved it all.'
"From my personal point of view, from this whole group's point of view, it's been so much fun. It's been a hell of a journey, we're all so proud of everything that you achieved. You've been an incredible player, an incredible bloke."
