After the final match of England’s 3-1 T20I series win in the Caribbean, Jos Buttler shared his thoughts on the uncertain future of star duo Ben Stokes and Joe Root in the white-ball squad. Both Stokes and Root have been absent from England’s ODI matches since the 2023 World Cup, with Stokes opting out of the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Buttler mentioned that the upcoming Champions Trophy in February raises questions about the potential return of Stokes and Root to the squad. With Brendon McCullum taking on a full-time coaching role, conversations will be held in the coming weeks to determine the team composition. Buttler praised the performance of the current squad, highlighting the impressive showing of young players who have showcased their talent.
Looking ahead, England is set to face India in January with a series of three ODIs and five T20Is before the Champions Trophy. Stokes has previously expressed his willingness to play white-ball cricket under McCullum’s guidance, but also indicated that he is content with whatever decision is made regarding his recall to the team. On the other hand, Root, who is closing in on Eoin Morgan’s ODI run-scoring record for England, has remained silent on his potential return to the format.
Buttler emphasized the importance of having white-ball aspirations for both Stokes and Root, recognizing their talent and contribution to the team. He also highlighted the shift towards a more unified approach under a single head coach for all formats, which is expected to bring more consistency to the team selection process.
During the recent series in the Caribbean, England tested newer faces like Jacob Bethell, who made a strong impression with three half-centuries across the tour. Bethell’s performance earned him a spot in the Test squad for the upcoming series in New Zealand, highlighting the opportunities available for emerging talents in the team.
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