“Obvious Choice”- Ben Stokes On Jos Buttler Being Named The New England White-Ball Captain

Ben Stokes has lauded England and Wales Board’s (ECB) decision to name Jos Buttler as the new England white-ball captain, saying that the keeper-batter was the ‘obvious choice.’

The ECB appointed Buttler as England’s new leader in the white-ball formats of the game on Thursday after Morgan announced his retirement from the game earlier in the week. The 31-year-old was already serving as England’s vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is.

His first assignment will be against India as the Men in Blue will play 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs against England from July 7 onwards. Buttler has led the team in 14 games altogether (9 ODIs & 5 T20Is). The 32-year-old has been in the form of his life of late and will be hoping to lead the team from the front.

Jos Buttler Will Continue The Ethos And Mindset That Eoin Morgan Brought To Us: Ben Stokes

Jos Buttler will have a busy time as England limited-overs captain as July features six one-day and six Twenty20 internationals apiece against India and South Africa respectively. Buttler will also work with a new head coach in Matthew Mott as ECB has opted for split captaincy and coach with Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum at the helm in red-ball cricket.

Speaking about the appointment, Stokes said that Buttler was the obvious choice once Morgan decided to step down and he believes that the wicketkeeper will carry on the same ethos and mindset instilled by his predecessor.

“He was the obvious choice once Morgs decided to retire. He’s been vice-captain for a number of years. Nothing will change. Jos will continue the ethos and mindset that Morgs brought to us from 2015 so, honestly, I don’t think you’ll see anything change whatsoever. It is Jos’ time to take the team forward and I’m pretty sure it will be pretty much the same as Morgs left the team,” said Stokes.

Stokes, who led England to a 3-0 Test series win over New Zealand recently and will captain against India as well in the fifth Test starting July 1, also spoke about Buttler’s future in the Test team.

“I don’t think him being appointed one-day captain does any more or less good. The team we have here is the Test team I want going forward. When we sat down at the start of the summer and selected the squad, it was because those were the guys we wanted in every position and they were the best to do that. At the moment, it’s about giving this team time to succeed and perform,” said Stokes.

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