During his press conference on the eve of the fourth Test of the five-match series in Southampton, England skipper Joe Root said that the comeback-man Ben Stokes is not completely fit to carry out his complete bowling responsibilities, which has prompted him to bring on Moeen Ali for the fourth Test against India starting on Thursday.

The hosts are having a lead of 2-1 in the series but have been pulled back by the loss in the third Test. Talking about the confidence of his team, Root said, “We underperformed last week, that’s the bottom line. One of our big strengths as a squad is our strength of character and, at home, in particular, we’re very good at bouncing back from difficult weeks. We’ve done it time and time again before. And I don’t expect anything less form the group this time as well.”

The green-top wicket at The Ageas Bowl also suits England just fine, Root hoped their premier pacer James Anderson would achieve the feat in this Test.

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Describing the same, Root said, “He is obviously a very great attacking threat when it is seaming and swinging but you always feel that it is going to create pressure for you and he is always going to ask difficult questions of batters for long periods of time. He is brilliant to have around and I think he is getting better and better to be honest. I think he could play for a good while yet which is really exciting if he can stay on the park and he looks desperate to do so.”

The English skipper also hoped that their premier batsman Alastair Cook would get back to form like he did for England back in 2014. He is also hoping the whole batting line-up would put up an improved performance in this Test.

Root concluded, “We are fully aware of what he [Cook] is capable of doing. It was nice to have that support heard from outside the four walls of the changing room. Think he got 95 caught down the leg side (in 2014). It’s been frustrating, but this is another opportunity to put it right. There are a lot of very hungry guys to do that. Having seen Jos go and score a Test century, and how much that means to him, hopefully, that drives other guys on too.”