England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan has said both Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler are doubtful for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan. Buttler played the primary T20I against Sri Lanka but has missed the subsequent five matches (two T20Is and three ODIs) thanks to a calf tear and it’s also ruled him out of the three ODIs against Pakistan. On the opposite hand, Stokes missed the series against Sri Lanka as he recovers from the finger injury he sustained in Rajasthan Royals’ opening IPL fixture.
“There’s always a fine balance between watching the here-and-now and planning towards the T20 World Cup, also bearing in mind that those two guys are all-format players in order that they will probably go Down Under and play within the Ashes also. Trying to balance that alongside trying to urge the simplest squad out is often difficult sometimes, but I feel at the instant we’re spoiled for choice,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Morgan as saying.
“From what I’m hearing, calves are often quite temperamental — it just depends on how Buttler feels. during a similar instance to Ben, the priority wouldn’t be to urge him back as soon as possible if there is a 50-50 chance. i do know he progressed his running a few days ago and does feel good, but things can change,” he added.
Stokes has returned to county cricket action, but it’s yet to be seen whether England risk rushing him back.
Further talking about Stokes and Buttler, Morgan said: “The last item we would like to try to do is rush somebody back and jump with the extent of intensity from county cricket to international when there’s not necessarily a requirement. We are happy for Ben to progress as he sees fit, and clearly have one eye on the Test series also .”
Sri Lanka did not win one match on their tour to England after they suffered a 3-0 defeat in T20Is and 2-0 within the ODI series. England and Pakistan will lock horns in three ODIs and three T20Is, beginning Thursday.
