Neither Stokes nor Root have represented England in ODI cricket since their disastrous World Cup defense in 2023, with the Champions Trophy starting in exactly two months.
“I don’t know exactly,” Buttler said of whether Root and Stokes will return in February. “Obviously Brendon McCullum will come in full time and be in touch with the boys.”
England have a white-ball tour to India in January that includes three ODIs, which are the only 50-over matches they have before the Champions Trophy begins.
Asked if the pair are guaranteed to return if they are available, Buttler added: “It’s about talks over the next few weeks with the lads in charge. The lads here have played very well. Some of the young players haven’t hurt themselves. themselves.” “There are people who aren’t here who will also have aspirations to be on the white ball team. It’s really exciting.”
Root is arguably England’s best ODI batsman, with over 6,500 runs and 16 hundreds in 171 matches since 2013. However, he has struggled in the last three years in the few 50-over matches he has played. . Since July 2021, he is averaging 22.94 in the format in 20 games. His last ODI century came during the 2019 World Cup.
Similarly, Stokes has played just 19 ODIs in the last five years. However, in that time, he has averaged 43.38. During the 2023 World Cup, he scored 539 runs at an average of 59.88.
“I can’t speak for them individually, but I hope they have aspirations of winning the white ball,” Buttler said of the pair. “They are two great players.
“Naturally the teams will become closer in terms of personnel, now the overall message will come from a man who is now in charge of England cricket. The guys who play in all three formats will no longer feel that it is red or white.” .
“Maybe you’ll see the same faces and the same man in charge, regardless of the color of the ball. It will certainly give more consistency.”
Buttler was speaking moments after a failure in St Lucia secured England a 3-1 series victory over the West Indies, the team’s first T20I victory on the road in more than two years.
“To come and beat the West Indies here is a big effort. We’ve had some close series against them in recent years, which has been good. I’m really pleased for everyone in the dressing room who put in the performances we put in.” we did to get the results we got.
“It’s a great job,” Buttler said. “Having recently gone through an injury, nothing as serious as Saqi, you realize how hard the work is. It’s a revelation of how much resilience, hard work and all the rehab the guys have had to do. These back injuries and long-term injuries must pass.
“More than anything he showed great skill on the ball and got the results he deserved.”
Buttler himself returned to this series after four months out with a calf injury, but was able to emerge from the series unscathed. On this trip, he opted not to take the wicket to gain experience as a captain from the field.
“I don’t know exactly, but I’ve enjoyed it,” Buttler said, when asked if he would give up the gloves for good. “It’s been good for me to get one less thing off my back. Tres has been great at doing that too, he really led the team and really helped me and pushed me towards that kind of thing. Change is good sometimes. I’ve enjoyed being closer of the players”.
Cameron Ponsonby is a freelance cricket writer based in London. @cameronponsonby
