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'Arguably The Best Player..,' Buttler's Big Statement On Joe Root Ahead Of World Cup

image-lmrwmyqwJoe Root struggled against NZ in their four-match series (Twitter)

England captain Jos Buttler has come out in support of senior teammate Joe Root ahead of the 2023 World Cup in India next month. Root has been struggling in ODIs off late and in a bid to prepare for England’s title-defence, he voluntarily made himself available for his side’s three-match home series against Ireland.

Asserting the importance of Joe Root in the side, active white-ball skipper Jos Buttler claimed that his teammate continues to remain their best player at the moment.

Buttler hails Joe Root’s pre-World Cup 2023 initiative

England is currently hosting Ireland for a three-match ODI series at home between September 20 and 26. Joe Root, who voluntarily added himself to the squad against Ireland, remains England’s only player from the series to take subsequent flight to India for the imminent 2023 World Cup next month.

The batting veteran made the decision to face the Irish at home in a bid to improve his ODI form, which recently took a beating against New Zealand during their four-match series last week. Root managed to score only 39 runs across four innings against the ‘Black Caps’, thus returning with one of his worst ODI phases just prior to the World Cup.

England’s World Cup 2023 captain Jos Buttler hailed Root for his decision to play against Ireland, and described him as the best player of the current team. While speaking with Sky Sports, he said:

“It just shows his hunger to play. He's someone who, over the last four years because of the schedule probably hasn't played as much 50-over cricket as he would like.”


“He's an experienced guy and he knows what he needs. He's arguably the best player in our team and he just knows what he needs to get ready. It was very simple for all involved.”

Roughly a week after England’s home series against Ireland, the defending champions will launch their World Cup 2023 campaign with familiar foes New Zealand. The much-awaited tournament opener is slated to be played on October 5 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.