Stokes backs Buttler to remain white-ball captain

Ben Stokes has backed Jos Buttler to stay arsenic England white-ball captain, contempt nan dense conclusion by India successful nan T20 World Cup semi-final.

The defending champions were hammered by 68 runs successful Guyana, a 3rd conclusion successful 4 matches against different Test-playing nations astatine nan tourney successful nan Caribbean and United States.

The surrender of nan T20 title won successful 2022 comes aft a miserable defence of nan 50-over World Cup successful India past year, erstwhile England won only 3 of their 9 matches.

“Jos is nan man to lead that white-ball squad forward,” Stokes told BBC Sport.

“He is simply a awesome leader. He’s sewage nan respect of each nan squad members successful nan dressing room.”

Stokes was man of nan lucifer erstwhile England lifted nan 50-over World Cup successful 2019 and was instrumental successful nan T20 last occurrence 2 years agone successful Australia.

The England Test skipper came retired of one-day world status to play successful nan 50-over World Cup defence past autumn, but skipped nan latest T20 World Cup arsenic portion of his rehabilitation from knee surgery.

And contempt England’s men now not being nan holders of astatine slightest 1 world white-ball title for nan first clip successful 5 years, Stokes believes nan squad are progressing nether skipper Buttler and coach Matthew Mott.

“They person done a awesome occupation successful getting to different awesome semi-final,” said Stokes.

“Being portion of athletics is astir increasing and progressing your side. It’s not shabby to opportunity you sewage done to a World Cup semi-final.”

After rainfall forced nan abandonment of their World Cup opener against Scotland, England were connected nan brink of elimination pursuing a dense conclusion by Australia.

But large wins complete Oman and Namibia, on pinch Australia’s tight conclusion of Scotland, put Buttler’s broadside done to nan Super 8s.

Successes complete West Indies and USA, either broadside of conclusion by South Africa, sent England to nan past four, wherever they were outclassed by India, bowled retired for only 103 successful pursuit of 172 connected a low, turning pitch.

It intends England’s conclusion of West Indies is their only triumph complete different squad that plays Test cricket, pinch their different 3 wins coming against teams extracurricular of world cricket’s elite.

“It’s an absorbing format, nan T20 World Cup, 1 I’m not a immense instrumentality of because teams tin spell done aliases not spell done perchance because of a upwind situation,” added Stokes.

“When England were put nether pressure, particularly astatine nan backmost extremity of nan group stages, they showed what a bully squad they were.

"India are a very bully team, particularly successful nan conditions that transportation offered. It gave India a immense advantage.”

Stokes, who was invited to speak to nan England shot squad earlier nan ongoing European Championship, compared nan disapproval of nan cricketers to nan unit Gareth Southgate’s squad are nether earlier Sunday’s last-16 necktie against Slovakia.

“Unfortunately, it’s nan measurement nan English mentality is – they person sewage done and they are getting a load of grief,” said nan 33-year-old.

"I cognize what it’s like. I conjecture that comes from anticipation and everyone wanting their squad to do well.”

Stokes was speaking astatine Hawthorn Primary School successful Newcastle, wherever he delivered a coaching convention and took questions from pupils

The Durham man is backing calls from nan England and Wales Cricket Board and 4 different nationalist sporting governing bodies for nan authorities elected astatine nan wide predetermination to guarantee each kid astatine slightest 2 hours of beingness acquisition successful schools each week.

Stokes is preparing for nan first Test against West Indies connected 10 July, which will beryllium nan past for England’s all-time starring wicket-taker James Anderson.

At astir 42, Anderson is retiring from world cricket aft Stokes, Test coach Brendon McCullum and managing head Rob Key told him England will beryllium looking to younger gait bowlers.

Stokes was not drawn connected his reasons for that decision, but said: “I’d alternatively talk astir nan memories of Jimmy, what he is to nan crippled and what he is to English cricket.

“He’s a complete and utter domiciled exemplary for each accelerated bowlers. The committedness he has shown to his trade is conscionable phenomenal. He’s an unthinkable professional, an unthinkable jock and 1 of our top ever to play nan game.”

After a semipermanent left-knee problem restricted nan magnitude he has been capable to bowl, Stokes had room successful November.

On England’s circuit of India earlier this year, Stokes bowled successful nan 5th Test, his first competitory spell for 8 months, and took a wicket pinch his first delivery.

He has since played 2 County Championship matches for Durham, bowling 63.1 overs and taking 15 wickets arsenic he hopes to play a afloat domiciled arsenic an all-rounder for England successful nan location summertime and beyond.

“It’s going really good,” he said of his recovery.

“I’m hopeless to get backmost into it now. I’m buzzing to get going and stepping backmost retired successful an England shirt.”