Buttler welcomes ‘superstar’ Stokes again into England ODI fold

England limited-overs captain Jos Buttler hailed “superstar” Ben Stokes following his determination to come back out of one-day worldwide retirement.

Stokes known as time on his 50-over profession final yr resulting from considerations over his punishing workload and a knee downside.

However, the England Test skipper introduced his intention to play ODI cricket once more earlier this month and has been named within the squad for the upcoming sequence towards New Zealand, with the World Cup in India looming in October.

England, world champions in each white-ball codecs, play the Black Caps in 4 T20s and 4 ODIs and Buttler admitted he was “delighted” to have Stokes again within the fold.

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“It’s excellent news on all fronts, said Buttler. “It’s great for cricket to have a superstar like Ben Stokes in a World Cup.

“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.”

Stokes performed a pivotal position in England’s 2019 World Cup triumph, scoring an unbeaten 84 within the last towards New Zealand earlier than starring within the Super Over alongside Buttler.

“You look at the impact he has in every game he plays really, but especially in the last couple of World Cups (including the 2022 T20 World Cup), he’s the man in the middle with the crucial moment,” stated Buttler.

“We’re delighted to have him back. It’s not just the cricket but everything else he brings to the group.”

All-rounder Stokes, 32, will likely be returning to the ODI squad as a specialist batter and Buttler stated he made his determination following the conclusion of the latest Ashes sequence, which ended 2-2.

“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’,” stated Buttler.

England open the 20-over part of the New Zealand sequence at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.

The first ODI takes place in Cardiff on September 8.

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Although England have one eye on the World Cup later this yr, Buttler is wanting ahead to a “great test” towards the Black Caps.

“It’s great to be back together as a squad having not played together since Bangladesh in March,” he stated.

“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.”