Jos Buttler hails ‘superstar’ Ben Stokes’ return but insists Harry Brook has ‘nothing to prove’ despite World Cup omission

England limited-overs captain Jos Buttler hailed "superstar" Ben Stokes following his decision to come out of ODI retirement.

The England Test skipper had originally called time on his 50-over career last summer amid concerns surrounding workload and a knee problem.

However, Stokes announced his intention to play ODI cricket again earlier this month and has subsequently been named in the squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, live on Sky Sports, with the World Cup in India looming in October.

• Ben Stokes named in England's ODI squad for New Zealand series | IT20 squad also confirmed
• Jos Buttler says Harry Brook could still make England's World Cup squad
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England play the Black Caps in four T20s first before the same amount of ODIs, which begin in Cardiff next month, and Buttler admitted he was "delighted" to have Stokes back in the fold.

"It's excellent news on all fronts, it's great for cricket to have a superstar like Ben Stokes in a World Cup," Buttler said.

"You want to see those players in those major showpiece events so it's fantastic that he's made himself available.

"When a player of that calibre is available again, it's a no-brainer really that you want them back in your team.

"You look at the impact he has in every game he plays really, but especially in the last couple of World Cups, he's the man in the middle with the crucial moment.

"We're delighted to have him back, it's not just the cricket but everything else he brings to the group."

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Stokes played a pivotal role in England winning the 50-over World Cup in 2019, scoring an unbeaten 84 in the final against New Zealand before starring in the Super Over alongside Buttler.

He will be returning to the ODI squad as a specialist batter and Buttler added Stokes made his decision following the conclusion of the Ashes series.

He said: "Ben and I caught up during the IPL, had some good conversations about what he wanted to achieve in the year, so him coming to me and saying that the Ashes is his main priority, but if he could come through that physically he'd like to be considered for the World Cup.

"So I just left it at that and said you let me know after the Ashes how you're feeling.

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"We spoke after that, he said he'd be available as a batter and that was enough for me to just say, 'brilliant, can't wait to have you back'."

England's last T20 outing came in Bangladesh, where they suffered a series whitewash, and after a five-month hiatus they open the 20-over leg of the New Zealand series at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.

Although one eye is on the World Cup later this year, Buttler is looking forward to a "great test".

"It's great to be back together as a squad having not played together since Bangladesh in March," Buttler added.

"It's very exciting stuff on the horizon obviously with the World Cup in India, but we start with the T20 series here against New Zealand, which we're determined to do well in.

"Of course I suppose the main priority is the ODIs against New Zealand, I think they'll be a great test for us ahead of the World Cup."

Buttler: Brook has 'nothing to prove' against New Zealand

Harry Brook is the unfortunate man who is likely to make way for Stokes for the World Cup. It's unfortunate for the 24-year-old who, since making his international debut in 2022, has secured a place in the Test side and won the T20 World Cup.

Brook will now only make the cut if someone else is ruled out by injury, it would seem, but Buttler doesn't expect him to come out and play any differently at the Seat Unique Riverside in Durham on Wednesday.

"I don't think he has a point to prove," said Buttler. "We all know what a fantastic player he is. He's not missed out because he's not at the moment.

"He's a top player, we fully expect him to play really well and that's why he's here. He's a brilliant player. He's unfortunate to miss out on selection at this stage.

"We've said it for a long time, in English white ball cricket at the minute, we've got a lot of depth and talent. I think the young players coming through, pushing, that's been sort of the hallmark of the team, actually for the last few years so that's natural that good players miss out, and that's what happens in good teams!"

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Watch England Men's opening IT20 against New Zealand live on Sky Sports Cricket from 5.30pm (first ball 6pm) on Wednesday.