It was Ben Stokes’ call: Buttler opens up on all-rounder’s comeback

Ben Stokes is perhaps the clutches of clutch players in world cricket, and with just under two months to go for the ODI World Cup, England were going to their title defence without him. That led to Matthew Mott openly wishing that the all-rounder reversed his decision, with the all-rounder having announced his retirement from the 50-over format. 

On Wednesday (August 16), the 32-year-old was drafted into England’s squad ahead of their title defence in India, starting with the four ODIs against New Zealand. England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler insisted it was all Stokes’ call and that others don’t badger the all-rounder. 

"To be honest, it was Ben's call," Buttler said. "You all know Ben pretty well by now - I don't think anyone talking to him would persuade him.

"We had some conversations quite a while ago about it and just left it to him to come to me, basically, if he wanted to come back. We're delighted that he feels ready to come back and any time you can welcome him back into the team is great.

However, Stokes’ return is purely as a batter, given his long history of knee injuries that continued to plague him through the 2023 Ashes at home. The all-rounder has piled up 2,924 runs at an average of 38.98 across 105 appearances while picking up 74 wickets averaging 42.39. Stokes’ was one of the integral members of England’s successful 2019 campaign, with his knock in the final remembered for the ages. 

"Ben is very much his own man, he makes his own decisions. I've played with him for a very long time, I'm good friends with him. Me badgering him and saying 'come back, come back' is not really the way things work with Ben. He very much makes up his own mind and decides.

"We had some conversations around it and just left it in his court. I'm sure the lure of playing in a World Cup is quite big for someone as competitive and as driven as he is to play in an England shirt. I'm delighted he felt up to it and could come back."

If that wasn’t enough, last year in the T20 World Cup Down Under, Stokes’ calm and composed batting allowed England to breeze to 138 against a strong Pakistani bowling unit in the event's final. 

"I don't think you need me to tell you what Ben Stokes brings to a team," Buttler said. "It's fantastic to have Ben back available. Any time a player of his quality is available again is fantastic. We're delighted to welcome him back."