England’s white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, has announced that Joe Root will return to the ODI lineup, batting at number three, marking his first appearance in this format in 15 months. Ahead of the three-match ODI series against India, which commences in Nagpur at 8 AM on Thursday, Buttler praised Root as “one of the great players of the game across all formats.”
Root’s participation in the upcoming series will be his first since the 2023 Cricket World Cup, as England embarks on the final leg of their white-ball tour in India. Following a significant 4-1 defeat in the preceding T20 series, Buttler is optimistic that Root’s experience and skill will be instrumental for the team as they prepare for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan later this month.
Buttler confirmed that Root will resume his previous role in the batting order, which he excelled in leading up to England’s victory in the 2019 World Cup. “He’ll bat number three,” Buttler stated during a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, noting that he himself will shift to the fifth position.
“He’s one of the great players of the game in all formats. He has been an essential part of England’s ODI setup for many years, and I am eager to see him contribute in this new phase of his career,” Buttler remarked.
“But look at what he has achieved in Test cricket without the captaincy; he is back with that infectious smile and truly enjoying his game. I expect him to replicate that same enthusiasm in this environment. His extensive experience in ODI cricket will be invaluable for some of our less experienced players.”
“Buttler emphasized Root’s significance to the team, stating, “He has been a crucial player for England across all formats, and we believe he will play an important role in these matches.”
Root has had a fluctuating presence in the ODI team.
Joe Root’s position in the batting lineup was confirmed earlier on Wednesday, and the announcement of England’s complete starting XI later that day for Thursday’s match revealed no unexpected changes.
Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood has been selected over Mark Wood, while Jacob Bethell continues to play in the absence of wicketkeeper Jamie Smith due to injury.
The England team set to face India is as follows: 1. Ben Duckett, 2. Phil Salt, 3. Joe Root, 4. Harry Brook, 5. Jos Buttler (c), 6. Liam Livingstone, 7. Jacob Bethell, 8. Brydon Carse, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Saqib Mahmood.
Jos Buttler has expressed his intention to intensify the team’s aggressive approach in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Despite England’s struggles against India’s spinners during the four T20 matches, Buttler emphasized the team’s commitment to applying pressure on the opposition and maintaining a focus on taking wickets.
“Buttler stated, ‘We will continue to commit to the style of cricket we wish to play, really doubling down on that in the 50-over format. The Champions Trophy is approaching, making it beneficial to compete against a strong side in three ODIs prior to the tournament. Our goal is to maintain the same approach, finding ways to exert pressure on the opposition with our batting. Taking wickets is essential; allowing players to settle can lead to significant damage, so we will strive to discover methods for securing wickets.
“It ultimately comes down to execution. Regardless of the strategy we adopt, it is vital to implement it effectively, as we believe this is the optimal way to secure victories and maximize the potential of our players. Therefore, we will reinforce our commitment to this approach.
“While we demonstrated strong performances in certain phases of the T20s, we did not sustain them long enough to secure wins. It is crucial that we remain focused and adhere to our desired style of play, executing it to the best of our abilities in these upcoming matches.”
In discussing the selection of the team for the inaugural ODI, Buttler remarked: “Our approach to structuring the team and the style of play we intend to adopt is quite defined, and the next step is to integrate the players accordingly.
“We have various options and combinations available to us, so we will assess the pitch conditions and strive to make the most informed decision possible as we prepare for this match.”
The Champions Trophy is set to commence on February 19, broadcast live on Sky Sports, with England placed in Group B alongside Afghanistan, Australia, and South Africa. England will begin their tournament against Australia in Lahore on February 22.
