Stokes backs Buttler to remain white-ball captain

Ben Stokes has backed Jos Buttler to remain as England white-ball captain, despite the heavy defeat by India in the T20 World Cup semi-final.

The defending champions were hammered by 68 runs in Guyana, a third defeat in four matches against other Test-playing nations at the tournament in the Caribbean and United States.

The surrender of the T20 title won in 2022 comes after a miserable defence of the 50-over World Cup in India last year, when England won only three of their nine matches.

“Jos is the man to lead that white-ball team forward,” Stokes told BBC Sport.

“He is a great leader. He’s got the respect of all the team members in the dressing room.”

Stokes was man of the match when England lifted the 50-over World Cup in 2019 and was instrumental in the T20 final success two years ago in Australia.

The England Test captain came out of one-day international retirement to play in the 50-over World Cup defence last autumn, but skipped the latest T20 World Cup as part of his rehabilitation from knee surgery.

And despite England’s men now not being the holders of at least one global white-ball title for the first time in five years, Stokes believes the team are progressing under captain Buttler and coach Matthew Mott.

“They have done a great job in getting to another major semi-final,” said Stokes.

“Being part of sport is about growing and progressing your side. It’s not shabby to say you got through to a World Cup semi-final.”

After rain forced the abandonment of their World Cup opener against Scotland, England were on the brink of elimination following a heavy defeat by Australia.

But big wins over Oman and Namibia, along with Australia’s tight defeat of Scotland, put Buttler’s side through to the Super 8s.

Successes over West Indies and USA, either side of defeat by South Africa, sent England to the last four, where they were outclassed by India, bowled out for only 103 in pursuit of 172 on a low, turning pitch.

It means England’s defeat of West Indies is their only victory over another team that plays Test cricket, with their other three wins coming against teams outside of international cricket’s elite.

“It’s an interesting format, the T20 World Cup, one I’m not a huge fan of because teams can go through or not go through potentially because of a weather situation,” added Stokes.

“When England were put under pressure, especially at the back end of the group stages, they showed what a good team they were.

"India are a very good team, especially in the conditions that pitch offered. It gave India a huge advantage.”

Stokes, who was invited to speak to the England football team before the ongoing European Championship, compared the criticism of the cricketers to the pressure Gareth Southgate’s team are under before Sunday’s last-16 tie against Slovakia.

“Unfortunately, it’s the way the English mentality is – they have got through and they are getting a load of grief,” said the 33-year-old.

"I know what it’s like. I guess that comes from expectation and everyone wanting their team to do well.”

Stokes was speaking at Hawthorn Primary School in Newcastle, where he delivered a coaching session and took questions from pupils

The Durham man is backing calls from the England and Wales Cricket Board and four other national sporting governing bodies for the government elected at the general election to guarantee every child at least two hours of physical education in schools each week.

Stokes is preparing for the first Test against West Indies on 10 July, which will be the last for England’s all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson.

At nearly 42, Anderson is retiring from international cricket after Stokes, Test coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key told him England will be looking to younger pace bowlers.

Stokes was not drawn on his reasons for that decision, but said: “I’d rather talk about the memories of Jimmy, what he is to the game and what he is to English cricket.

“He’s a complete and utter role model for all fast bowlers. The commitment he has shown to his craft is just phenomenal. He’s an incredible professional, an incredible athlete and one of our greatest ever to play the game.”

After a long-term left-knee problem restricted the amount he has been able to bowl, Stokes had surgery in November.

On England’s tour of India earlier this year, Stokes bowled in the fifth Test, his first competitive spell for eight months, and took a wicket with his first delivery.

He has since played two County Championship matches for Durham, bowling 63.1 overs and taking 15 wickets as he hopes to play a full role as an all-rounder for England in the home summer and beyond.

“It’s going really good,” he said of his recovery.

“I’m desperate to get back into it now. I’m buzzing to get going and walking back out in an England shirt.”