Both Ben Stokes and Joe Root last played ODI cricket in the 2023 edition of the 50-over World Cup
England have fielded a number of youngsters in white-ball cricket to bolster their bench strength. But with the Champions Trophy nearing, it was expected that the Three Lions would revert to their experienced pro, Joe Root and Ben Stokes.
The expectations around Root and Stokes’ grew stronger when Brendon McCullum, England’s red-ball coach was also handed the reins for white-ball cricket replacing Matthew Motts. However, Jos Buttler, England’s white-ball captain has stated that their return is not guaranteed. At the same time, he hopes that both the red-ball stars — England’s current and former Test skipper — have white-ball ambitions.
“I can’t speak for them individually but I hope they have white-ball aspirations – they’re two great players. But I don’t know exactly. Obviously, Brendon McCullum is coming in full-time and he’ll be in touch with the guys,” Buttler said when asked about their possible return.
Both Root and Stokes haven’t played ODI cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup where England finished seventh among 10 teams in a dismal campaign. Then also, Stokes came back from ODI retirement to take part in the global event and scored 304 runs, averaging 50.7 with a hundred against the Netherlands.
Earlier this year, Stokes said he would be open for another comeback for the Champions Trophy in case McCullum asks him for a return.
Buttler credited the youngsters for doing well in England’s recently concluded white-ball season with the tour of West Indies, “It’s conversations for the next few weeks with the guys in charge. The guys here have played really well. Some of the young players have done themselves no harm at all. There are people who aren’t here who will have aspirations to be in the white-ball side as well. It’s really exciting.”
“Naturally the teams will become closer in terms of personnel now the overall messaging will be coming from one man who is in charge of England cricket now. The guys who play all three formats, they won’t feel it’s red or white as much anymore.
“Maybe you’ll see the same faces and the same guy in charge, no matter what colour the ball is. It’s certainly going to give more consistency,” he further added.
England have only three more ODIs left before the Champions Trophy begins in February 2025. They will play a three-match ODI series in India as a preparatory series before the global event. The side picked for that will largely clear the air around their senior players.
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