England limited-overs captain Jos Buttler hailed “superstar” Ben Stokes following his resolution to return out of ODI retirement.
The England Test skipper had initially known as time on his 50-over profession final summer time amid issues surrounding workload and a knee downside.
However, Stokes introduced his intention to play ODI cricket once more earlier this month and has subsequently been named within the squad for the upcoming collection towards New Zealand with the World Cup in India looming in October.
England play the Black Caps in 4 T20s first earlier than the identical quantity of ODIs, which start in Cardiff subsequent month, and Buttler admitted he was “delighted” to have Stokes again within the fold.
“It’s excellent news on all fronts, it’s great for cricket to have a superstar like Ben Stokes in a World Cup,” Buttler advised a press convention.
“You want to see those players in those major showpiece events so it’s fantastic that he’s made himself available.
“When a player of that calibre is available again it’s a no-brainer really that you want them back in your team.
“You look at the impact he has in every game he plays really, but especially in the last couple of World Cups, he’s the man in the middle with the crucial moment.
“We’re delighted to have him back, it’s not just the cricket but everything else he brings to the group.”
Stokes performed a pivotal position in England profitable the 50-over World Cup in 2019, scoring an unbeaten 84 within the ultimate towards New Zealand earlier than starring within the Super Over alongside Buttler.
He will probably be returning to the ODI squad as a specialist batter and Buttler added that Stokes made his resolution following the conclusion of the Ashes collection.
He mentioned: “Ben and I caught up during the IPL, had some good conversations about what he wanted to achieve in the year, so him coming to me and saying that the Ashes is his main priority, but if he could come through that physically he’d like to be considered for the World Cup.
“So I just left it at that and said you let me know after the Ashes how you’re feeling.
“We spoke after that, he said he’d be available as a batter and that was enough for me to just say brilliant ‘can’t wait to have you back’.”
England’s final T20 outing got here in Bangladesh, the place they suffered a collection whitewash, and after a five-month hiatus they open the 20-over leg of the New Zealand collection at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.
Although one eye is on the World Cup later this 12 months, Buttler is trying ahead to a “great test”.
“It’s great to be back together as a squad having not played together since Bangladesh in March,” Buttler added.
“It’s very exciting stuff on the horizon obviously with the World Cup in India, but we start with the T20 series here against New Zealand which we’re determined to do well in.
“Of course I suppose the main priority is the ODIs against New Zealand, I think they’ll be a great test for us ahead of the World Cup.”
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk
