Jos Buttler: ‘Badgering’ Ben Stokes into World Cup comeback wouldn’t have labored
Stokes, the hero of the 2019 World Cup and final yr’s T20 success, was formally drafted again into the 50-over set-up on Wednesday forward of England’s title defence in India this autumn. He had initially retired from the format final summer season as a consequence of what he perceived as an “unsustainable” workload due to his commitments as Test captain and a relentless worldwide schedule.
The 32-year-old had since waved away solutions he would return to the format. He even highlighted the interval between the top of the lads’s Ashes and the start of a five-match Test collection in opposition to India in January 2024 as the perfect window to type out the continual difficulty in his left knee that has hampered his skill to bowl in latest campaigns.
Speaking on Wednesday after Stokes’ return was confirmed after lacking 11 ODIs – together with 9 over a winter for which he would most likely have been rested – nationwide selector Luke Wright acknowledged it was not a case of “needing to beg”. That sentiment was echoed by Buttler, who had been the selectors’ sole level of contact given his shut friendship with Stokes.
Having had the seed planted lengthy earlier than, Stokes reached out “a week or 10 days” after the Ashes concluded on the finish of July to tell Buttler he wished to return.
“To be honest, it was Ben’s call,” Buttler mentioned. “You all know Ben pretty well by now – I don’t think anyone talking to him would persuade him.
“We had some conversations fairly some time in the past about it and simply left it to him to come back to me, principally, if he wished to come back again. We’re delighted that he feels prepared to come back again and any time you possibly can welcome him again into the group is nice.
“Ben is very much his own man, he makes his own decisions. I’ve played with him for a very long time, I’m good friends with him. Me badgering him and saying ‘come back, come back’ is not really the way things work with Ben. He very much makes up his own mind and decides.
“We had some conversations round it and simply left it in his courtroom. I’m certain the lure of enjoying in a World Cup is sort of massive for somebody as aggressive and as pushed as he’s to play in an England shirt. I’m delighted he felt as much as it and will come again.”
Stokes’ one-day record is arguably his best of the three formats, scoring 2,924 runs at an average of 38.98 across 105 caps and 74 wickets at 42.39. The latter figure, however, was not a consideration with Buttler reiterating Stokes will play solely as a batter.
Moreover, his big-game prowess is invaluable as England look to make it three ICC limited-overs trophies out of four, having missed out on 2021’s T20 World Cup. Stokes was player of the match in the 2019 ODI final, when his 84 not out took England to a Super Over in which he batted alongside Buttler, with the hosts eventually winning on boundary count after the scores were tied. Last November, he marshalled a chase of 138 at the MCG against Pakistan with 52 not out as England became the first team to hold both men’s World Cups simultaneously.
“I do not suppose you want me to inform you what Ben Stokes brings to a group,” Buttler said. “It’s improbable to have Ben again out there. Any time a participant of his high quality is offered once more is improbable. We’re delighted to welcome him again.”