England National Cricket Team skipper Jos Buttler has clearly stated that the superstar players – Joe Root and Ben Stokes – are not guaranteed a return to the white-ball set-up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Jos Buttler added that as Brendon McCullum takes charge as the all-format head coach, he would be in touch with Joe Root and Ben Stokes and was hopeful of the seniors’ retaining ambitions for limited-overs cricket.
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, there are several speculations regarding the squad that England will take for the tournament. Two of England’s best players of all time, Joe Root and Ben Stokes according to reports are doubtful for the upcoming tournament as they are currently focused on red ball cricket. The last time the two players played white ball cricket was back in 2023 when India hosted the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup.
Ben Stokes and Joe Root out of the ODI set-up since 2023
The red-ball giants of England – Joe Root and Ben Stokes – have stayed away from the ODI set-up since the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, where the Three Lions had an awful campaign.
Ben Stokes has overall represented England in 114 ODIs and has scored 3463 runs while picking up 74 wickets. Also, he played a vital role in the 2019 World Cup-winning campaign of the English team. Previously, Ben Stokes had stated that he would definitely return to ODIs if Brendon McCullum asked him to.
Meanwhile, Joe Root is one of the all-time greats of England in ODI cricket as in 171 matches he has slammed 6522 runs at an average of 47.60. Joe Root has established his legacy as the greatest Test batter in the history of English cricket, and he will be crucial for the team in the Champions Trophy 2025, which will be hosted by Pakistan.
The England side is now full of young stars but Jos Buttler is hopeful that the duo will have positive talks with coach Brendon McCullum and be included in the squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.
Jos Buttler shares his opinion on Ben Stokes, Joe Root’s ODI comeback in Champions Trophy 2025
England white-ball captain Jos Buttler has remarked that there is still no clarity regarding the availability of the senior duo of Joe Root and Ben Stokes for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The pair have not played international white-ball cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, which triggered the talks of a potential revamp for the side.
Ben Stokes, who had reversed his retirement to partake in the 2023 ODI World Cup, expressed his desire to make another comeback after Brendon McCullum’s appointment as the white-ball head coach. Root, on the other hand, has been prioritized for red-ball cricket in recent times.
The England side now boasts of youngsters as part of the revolution after yet another underwhelming campaign in the form of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Several new players have now settled in through the white-ball series against Australia and the West Indies of late.
Jos Buttler admitted that he is unsure of where things stand with Root and Stokes, but hopes that the duo stage positive talks with Brendon McCullum in the coming weeks.
“I don’t know exactly. Obviously, Brendon McCullum is coming in full-time and he’ll be in touch with the guys. It’s conversations for the next few weeks with the guys in charge. The guys here have played really well. Some of the young players have done themselves no harm at all. There are people who aren’t here who will have aspirations to be in the white-ball side as well. It’s really exciting,” Buttler said after England’s 3-1 series win over West Indies (via ESPN Cricinfo).
“I can’t speak for them individually but I hope they have white-ball aspirations. They’re two great players,” he added.
Joe Root and Ben Stokes have made a combined total of over 300 appearances in the format. The pair were part of the iconic squad that won the 2019 ODI World Cup on home soil under Eoin Morgan.