Headingley hero Ben Stokes revelled in one of the greatest innings of all time after coming up trumps in the fiercest of pressure situations once again to keep England's Ashes dream alive.
Barely a month on from inspiring England to victory in the World Cup final, Stokes' 135 not out ushered the hosts to a record fourth-innings chase of 359 with one wicket to spare in a nerve-shredding climax to the third Ashes Test.
Root described his deputy in glowing terms, with Stokes also taking three for 56 in Australia's second innings during a tireless 24.2-over spell across two sessions only broken up by Jofra Archer's four balls.
"He's a bit of a freak to be able to, time and time again, produce match-winning performances like that," Root said.
"He's the ultimate team man, will do everything for every single player – that's why he's a brilliant vice-captain, he drags people with him. He stood up and that's exactly what you want from your leaders."
On levelling the series at 1-1, he added: "I'm going to struggle to put it into words and will for a very long time."
