AUS vs ENG: There Is A Lot Of Excitement To Have Ben Stokes Back; Hopefully Liam Livingstone Will Get Back To Full Fitness Before World Cup – Jos Buttler

England National Cricket Team white-ball captain Jos Buttler has said that there is a lot of excitement in the camp to have star all-rounder Ben Stokes back in the T20I setup after an 18-month absence. He was also hopeful of explosive batter Liam Livingstone gaining full fitness before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

England National Cricket Team recently defeated Pakistan National Cricket Team in their own backyard in the 7-match T20I series by 4-3. The Three Lions are also set to lock horns with defending champions Australia National Cricket Team in the three-match T20I series ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

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Speaking ahead of the T20I series against Australia, the England captain revealed that he has fully recovered from a calf injury and is ready to take part in the matches.

“I’m back to 100 per cent. Had a good time in Pakistan rehabbing, probably could have played earlier but with the World Cup around the corner it was the right thing to do [to sit out],” Buttler told reporters on Saturday at a sun-drenched Optus Stadium, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

With the return of Buttler to the side, one of the openers among Alex Hales and Phil Salt will have to make the way for the skipper in the playing XI.

“We’ll wait and see,” a cagey Buttler said on the selection battle between Salt and Hales.

“We have great options at the top of the order with guys in really good form in Pakistan. They’re both excellent options. Whoever I partner with will have a great go at it.”

Jos Buttler further said that they want to give as many opportunities as possible to Ben Stokes to make an impact in the matches. He said:

“Ben Stokes is someone we want to try to give as much opportunity to impact the game as possible. Try to get him up the order as high as we can. Give him as much responsibility as possible and allow him to play his way to get the best out of him. Ben is a superstar and a guy you want in the team. There is a lot of excitement to have him back.”

Liam Livingstone is still a little way off at the minute so he’s building back – Jos Buttler

England white-ball captain further said that the explosive batter Livingstone, who is out with an ankle injury, “is still a little way off at the minute so he’s building back”. He said:

“[He] is still a little way off at the minute so he’s building back. Hopefully he’ll get back to full fitness before the start of the World Cup.”

Jos Buttler believes that England, who were knocked out of the tournament after a defeat in the semi-final against New Zealand at T20 World Cup 2021, are not under any kind of pressure heading into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

“Don’t think there’s any pressure on us. The team has changed with a new coach and captain. It’s very early in our era as a group albeit we have fantastic players in our team and some real match-winners and world-class players. I think we’re a dangerous team but we don’t have big expectations on us as a group.”

Jos Buttler further talked about the defending champions and hosts, Australia, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. He said:

“I think they’re the favourites for the World Cup. We’re looking for a great challenge. Adapting to conditions quickly is going to be a key factor for us to get up and running. It’s all about peaking at the right time for this World Cup.”

Also Read: AUS vs ENG: “How Do We Utilize That?”- David Warner Believes Tim David Has Given Selectors A Headache

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