Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes likely to miss the T20I series against Pakistan says, Eoin Morgan
Eoin Morgan says that England doesn’t want to rush the comeback of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes and risk their injuries getting worse.
England white-ball skipper, Eoin Morgan, and Ben Stokes are doubtful for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan.
Jos Buttler has played the only T20I against Sri Lanka and missed the remaining five matches including two T20I’s and three ODI’s due to calf tear and also ruled out from the three ODI matches against Pakistan.
On the other hand, Ben Stokes missed the whole series against Sri Lanka following a finger injury that he sustained in the Rajasthan Royals opening fixture of IPL.
“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,”
Morgan was quoted saying to ESPNcricinfo.
“From what I’m hearing, calves can be quite temperamental — it just depends on how 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,”
he added.
Although Stokes has returned to county cricket it is not confirmed whether England wants to take him back in the Pakistan series.
“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 have one eye on the Test series as well,”
Morgan further talked about Buttler and Stokes.
Sri Lanka failed to win a single match against England in their recent series as they lost the T20I’s by 3-0 and ODI’s by 2-0. England and Pakistan are set to lock horns in a three-match ODI and T20I series, starting from Thursday.