The Jos Buttler-led England national cricket team has already arrived in India for the crucial limited-overs series, which begins on Wednesday, January 22, with the five-match T20I series opener at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
This series will mark the beginning of Brendon McCullum's era as England's head coach. Brendon McCullum was appointed England's all-format coach by the ECB last September and Jos Buttler welcomed the new coach to 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 coach and captain for the success of England's national cricket team. Jos Buttler said McCullum is not new to the team as the New Zealander has been involved in the Test squad.
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Buttler also revealed that their playing XI is almost finalised, with a final check on a few bowlers, while confirming that Phil Salt will keep 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 said at the press conference in Kolkata, “We have to build the coach-captain alliance. Of course, he is not new and has been around in the red ball setup. But it's good to have him in the white ball setup. Seated XI, just want to see some bowlers today. Phil Salt will keep wickets.”
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood prepare to play in Kolkata T20I
Buttler also confirmed that Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will make their comeback in the first T20I at Eden Gardens. The England captain added: “Ben Duckett will play Salt in the order. Jofra will play; Wood will play.”
In particular, England's first-choice pacer Mark Wood has been sidelined since August with a stress fracture in his right elbow, while Jofra Archer continues his recovery from injuries to his bowling arm and back. However, the Barbados pacer played white-ball cricket during his recovery time.
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Earlier, Brendon McCullum said of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer: “While the guys are fit and firing and they like to play, you don't want to hold them back. I wouldn't imagine we'd do much of that cotton wool 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.
Remarkably, 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 he scored fifties in all three Test matches during his time. debut series against the Black Caps.
Besides playing three Tests for England, Bethell also played 8 ODIs and 7 T20s. Buttler signed off: “Jacob Bethell is an exciting talent. He has been talked about for some time, about the talent he possesses. He has a good head on his shoulders. It was fantastic to watch him in New Zealand.”