Jos Buttler has been affected by a niggling calf harm since mid-August; England’s captain additionally showed that Ben Stokes will bat upper up the order; apply Australia v England throughout Sky Sports’ virtual platforms from 9.10am on Sunday
By Amar Mehta
Last Updated: 08/10/22 8:53am
Jos Buttler overlooked the seven-match T20 collection in Pakistan with Moeen Ali deputising as captain
Jos Buttler is fit for Sunday’s T20 global towards Australia however Liam Livingstone is a doubt for England’s World Cup opener later this month.
England’s captain has recovered from a calf harm he suffered right through The Hundred in August and watched from the sidelines as his facet beat Pakistan 4-3.
Buttler and England flew to Australia after the collection in Pakistan, the place they are going to play 3 T20 suits towards the arena champions forward of the World Cup.
“I’m back to 100 per cent,” Buttler mentioned on Saturday.
“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.”
His go back to the facet way one among Alex Hales and Phil Salt are anticipated to fill the second one opener’s slot, with common opener Jason Roy dropped from the squad because of deficient shape.
“We have great options at the top of the order with guys in really good form in Pakistan,” Buttler mentioned.
“They’re both excellent options. Whoever I partner with will have a great go at it.”
Liam Livingstone suffered an ankle harm right through The Hundred
Buttler’s go back is a great addition for England, who’ve had to deal with accidents to key gamers in contemporary months, with Livingstone (ankle) and Chris Jordan (finger) each returning to the squad, whilst Jonny Bairstow has been dominated out till 2023.
However, considerations stay over all-rounder Livingstone’s health forward of the World Cup opener on October 22 towards Afghanistan.
Buttler mentioned Livingstone is “a little way off at the minute”, including: “Hopefully he’ll get back to full fitness before the start of the World Cup.”
Stokes to bat upper up the order
Test captain Ben Stokes may even go back to the facet, and Buttler mentioned the all-rounder would bat upper up within the line-up.
“Ben Stokes is someone we want to try to give as much opportunity to impact the game as possible,” Buttler mentioned.
“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 Stokes will bat upper up the order for England
Australia – who beat New Zealand within the 2021 T20 World Cup ultimate to win the event for the primary time – come into the collection contemporary from a 2-0 sweep of West Indies.
England play the reigning T20 World Cup champions in Perth on Sunday earlier than additional suits in Canberra on October 12 and 14, with a ultimate warm-up towards Pakistan on October 17 earlier than Buttler’s males start their World Cup marketing campaign towards Afghanistan on October 22.
Follow England’s three-match T20I collection in Australia throughout Sky Sports’ virtual platforms. Then catch each sport from the T20 World Cup live to tell the tale Sky Sports from Sunday, October 16.