Ben Stokes responds after Jos Buttler appointment as new England white-ball captain: He was the obvious choice
India Today
Ben Stokes has said that Jos Buttler was the obvious choice to become the new England limited-overs captain.
England's Test team captain Ben Stokes has responded to Jos Buttler's appointment as the limited-overs skipper of the nation, saying that the wicketkeeper was the obvious choice for the role after Eoin Morgan's retirement.
The ECB appointed Buttler as England's new leader in the white-ball formats of the game on Thursday after Morgan announced his retirement from the game earlier in the week. The 31-year-old was already serving as England's vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is.
Speaking about the appointment, Stokes said that Buttler was the obvious choice once Morgan decided to step down and he believes that the wicketkeeper will carry on the same ethos and mindset instilled by his predecessor. He also said that it was the wicketkeeper's time to take the team forward.
"He was the obvious choice once Morgs decided to retire. He’s been vice-captain for a number of years. Nothing will change.
"Jos will continue the ethos and mindset that Morgs brought to us from 2015 so, honestly, I don’t think you’ll see anything change whatsoever. It is Jos’ time to take the team forward and I’m pretty sure it will be pretty much the same as Morgs left the team," said Stokes.
Addressing Buttler's future in the Test team setup, Stokes admitted that being the limited-overs captain will not play a role in the 31-year-old getting back into the squad. The all-rounder said the current team is the one he wants going forward.
"I don’t think him being appointed one-day captain does any more or less good. The team we have here is the Test team I want going forward."
