Ben Stokes and Joe Root have not played a single ODI since England’s miserable crash out of the ODI World Cup last year, where they managed to win only three out of their nine matches. However, with another ODI mega-event looming on the horizon, questions arise about how the Three Lions will shape their team this time.
Since the conclusion of the World Cup in India, England have played only two bilateral ODI series. The first, against Australia in September, where Root was rested and Stokes was sidelined with an injury. The second was part of the recently concluded white-ball tour in the Caribbean, which coincided with the end of the red-ball tour in Pakistan, meaning both Root and Stokes had to miss out on that.
Jos Buttler’s men have only three more ODI matches to go before the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, which raises the question if the team has decided to move on from the prolific pair. England’s selector Luke Wright mentioned in August that Root could directly be brought into the tournament. Similarly, Stokes has also hinted at jumping on the offer if asked about his return to the team.
According to England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler, the final decision about their inclusion will be taken by Brendon McCullum, who will take over as England’s white-ball coach in January.
“I don’t know exactly,” Buttler said when asked if Root and Stokes will be called back for the Champions Trophy “Obviously Brendon McCullum is coming in full-time and he’ll be in touch with the guys.”
Buttler also indicated that the management will keep an eye on the players who did well in the recent tour of Caribbean and might include them in the mix for the Champions Trophy as well.
“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.” England’s white ball captain said.
However, he thinks regardless of whether they become a part pf the eight-national tournament, both players should hold a place in limited-over cricket.
“I can’t speak for them individually but I hope they have white-ball aspirations. They’re two great players.”
McCullum joined England’s red-ball side as a coach in 2022. Along with the skipper Ben Stokes, he is believed to have revolutionized not only England’s brand of cricket but Test format as a whole. Buttler mentioned that things can be expected to go smoother now that they will get consistency within the management with McCullum’s arrival.
“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.” Buttler mentioned after the team’s 3-1 win over West Indies.
England have had a busy cricket schedule following their departure from the T20 World in June. They now gear up to fly to New Zealand for a three-match Test series after which they will return for a month long sabbatical before heading to India for a white-ball tour at the end of January.
