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The Jos Buttler-led England National Cricket Team has already arrived in India for the crucial limited-overs series, which will begin on Wednesday, January 22 with the opening of the five-match T20I series at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata .
This series will mark the beginning of Brendon McCullum’s era as England’s white-ball coach. Brendon McCullum was appointed England’s all-format coach by the ECB last September, and Jos Buttler welcomed the new manager into the set-up ahead of the five-match T20I series against Team India.
We need to build the coach-captain alliance: Jos Buttler to Brendon McCullum
Ahead of the first T20I match, Buttler stressed the importance of developing a strong partnership between the coach and the captain for the success of the England national cricket team. Jos Buttler said that McCullum is not new to the team as the New Zealander has featured with the Test team.
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Buttler also revealed that his playing XI is almost settled, with a final check on a couple of bowlers, while also confirming that Phil Salt will keep the wickets for the tourists. The England national cricket team captain also confirmed that Phil Salt and Ben Duckett will open for the tourists in the upcoming T20I series in India.
Jos Buttler told the press conference in Kolkata: “We have to build the coach-captain alliance. Of course, he is not new and he has been in the red-ball setup. But good to have him in the white ball. Settled in the XI, I just want to see a couple of bowlers today.”
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood to play in Kolkata T20I
Buttler also confirmed that Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will return for the first T20I at the Eden Gardens. The England captain added: “Ben Duckett will play Salt in the order. Jofra will play there; Wood will play.”
In particular, England’s number one pacer Mark Wood has been sidelined since August with a stress fracture in his right elbow, while Jofra Archer continues to recover from arm injuries and bowling back. However, the Barbadian pacer has been playing white-ball cricket during his recovery time.
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Earlier, Brendon McCullum said of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer: “As long as the guys are fit and firing and enjoying playing, you don’t want to hold them back. I wouldn’t imagine we’d get too much of that cotton candy treatment.”
Jos Buttler hails Jacob Bethell as exciting talent ahead of T20I series
Meanwhile, Jos Buttler hailed young batting sensation Jacob Bethell as an exciting talent. The England captain said the left-handed batsman has a strong mentality and said how great it was to see Bethell perform in New Zealand.
In particular, the 21-year-old batsman had a remarkable Test debut last month, amassing 260 runs in just three Tests against New Zealand at an average of 52 and a strike rate of 75. Jacob Bethell scored a fifty in the three test matches during his debut series against the Black Caps.
Apart from playing three Tests for England, Bethell also played 8 ODIs and 7 T20Is. Buttler signed off saying: “Jacob Bethell is an exciting talent. He’s been talked about for a while, the talent he possesses. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. It was great to see him in New Zealand.”
