Eoin Morgan Admits Doubts Over Jos Buttler's And Ben Stokes' Availability For Pakistan T20Is

England limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan has cast doubts over Jos Buttler’s and Ben Stokes’ availability for the T20I series against Pakistan. Pakistan has already landed in England and are preparing for the three-match ODI and T20I leg, starting from Thursday with the first 50-over game in Cardiff. Eoin Morgan remarked he wouldn’t want Stokes and Buttler to rush their comeback from injuries.

Ben Stokes has not played for England since the ODI series against India in March. The seam-bowling all-rounder sustained a finger injury during Rajasthan Royals’ first game and had to undergo surgery. While he has played in the T20 blast, Stokes is yet to recover from his finger injury fully. On the other hand, Jos Buttler’s calf tear after the first T20I against Sri Lanka could keep him out of the remaining limited-overs fixtures of the home summer.

Eoin Morgan asserted they do not wish to fastrack any player’s return from injury and raising the intensity suddenly. The Irishman feels delighted to see Ben Stokes, who he knows would be vital to England’s chances in the Test series against India. Morgan presented the same perspective on Jos Buttler, claiming that injured calves could be painful.

“The last thing we want to do is rush somebody back and jump with the level of intensity from county cricket to international when there isn’t necessarily a need. We are happy for Ben to progress as he sees fit, and obviously have one eye on the Test series as well. From what I’m hearing, calves can be quite temperamental – it just depends on how he [Buttler] feels. In a similar instance to Ben, the priority wouldn’t be to get him back as soon as possible if there’s a 50-50 chance. I know he progressed his running a couple of days ago and does feel good, but things can change,”

Trying to balance that along with trying to get the best squad out can be difficult at times: Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan understands the intricacies involved in striking a balance, bearing in mind the busy schedule in their hands in the next few months. The 2019 World Cup-winning captain admits trying to get a balanced squad has been difficult; however, he believes they have plenty of options to choose from.

“There’s always a fine balance between looking at the here-and-now and planning towards the T20 World Cup, also bearing in mind that those two guys are all-format players so they will probably go Down Under and play in the Ashes as well. Trying to balance that along with trying to get the best squad out can be difficult at times, but I think at the moment we’re spoiled for choice,” he added.

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