The Jos Buttler-led England National Cricket Team has already arrived in India for the crucial limited-overs series, starting on Wednesday, January 22, with the five-match T20I series opener at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
This series will mark the beginning of Brendon McCullum’s era as England’s white-ball head coach. Brendon McCullum was named England’s all-format coach by the ECB last September, and Jos Buttler welcomed the new coach to the set-up ahead of the five-match T20I series against Team India.
We have to build the coach-captain alliance: Jos Buttler to Brendon McCullum
Ahead of the first T20I match, Buttler highlighted the importance of developing a strong partnership between the coach and captain for the England National Cricket Team’s success. Jos Buttler said that McCullum is not new to the team, as the New Zealander has been involved with the Test team.
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Buttler also revealed that their playing XI is almost settled, with a final check on a couple of bowlers, while confirming that Phil Salt will be keeping wickets for the tourists. The England National Cricket Team captain also confirmed that Phil Salt and Ben Duckett will open for the tourists in the upcoming T20I series in India.
Jos Buttler said at the press conference in Kolkata: “We have to build the coach-captain alliance. Of course, he is not new and has been around in the red ball setup. But good to have him in the white-ball setup. Settled on the XI, I just want to see a couple of bowlers today. Phil Salt will keep wickets.”
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood set to play in the Kolkata T20I
Buttler also confirmed that Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will be making their comebacks in the first T20I at the Eden Gardens. The England captain added, “Ben Duckett will play with Salt up in the order. Jofra will play; Wood will play.”
Notably, England’s premier pacer, Mark Wood, was out of action since August due to a stress fracture in his right elbow, while Jofra Archer continues his recovery from injuries to his bowling arm and back. However, the Barbados pacer has been playing white-ball cricket during his recovery time.
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Earlier, Brendon McCullum said of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer: “While the guys are fit and they’re firing and they’re enjoying playing, you don’t want to hold them back. I wouldn’t imagine that we’d be doing too much of that cotton wool treatment.”
Jos Buttler hails Jacob Bethell as an exciting talent ahead of the T20I series
Meanwhile, Jos Buttler hailed the young batting sensation Jacob Bethell as an exciting talent. The England captain said that the left-handed batter has a strong mindset and said how great it was to see Bethell perform in New Zealand.
Notably, the 21-year-old batter had a remarkable Test debut last month, amassing 260 runs in just three Tests against New Zealand at an average of 52 and a strike rate of 75. Jacob Bethell struck fifties in all three Test matches during his debut series against the Black Caps.
Apart from playing three Tests for England, Bethell also played 8 ODIs and 7 T20Is. Buttler signed off by saying, “Jacob Bethell is an exciting talent. He has been talked about for a while, the talent he possesses. He has got a good head on his shoulders. It was fantastic to watch him in New Zealand.”