• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Ben Stokes Wants England To Qualify For Champions Trophy Jos Buttler

'Ben Stokes Wants England To Qualify For Champions Trophy' - Jos Buttler 

image-loqu4egwBen Stokes helped England return to winning ways (Twitter)

Jos Buttler cited Ben Stokes' steadfast nature and team-first attitude to respond to questions on why the English match-winner chose to stay put in India for the remainder of ICC World Cup 2023 despite an imminent surgery. 

Speculations had been rife on Stokes' decision to persist with the sinking England ship for the last two games of their disastrous campaign after announcing he will undergo surgery for his knee after the World Cup ahead of the marquee Test match trip to India in January-March next year. 

The question had been raised why Stokes is not departing early with the World Cup dream vanished to ensure the surgery is done the soonest and he has more time up his sleeves to recover entirely for his next assignment as the England Test match skipper.

However, Buttler said the charismatic cricketer isn't one to prioritise individual motives and has been encouraged to pursue England's Champions Trophy quest after the defending world champions fell under serious threat of missing the next ICC 50-over event in Pakistan in 2025. 

Buttler On Stokes' Decision To Stay Put In India 

Speaking to the press following England's relieved victory over the Netherlands, which ensured they jumped over to the seventh spot in the World Cup standings, Buttler lauded Stokes for his magnificent century versus the Dutchmen and said his match-winning 108 off 84 deliveries underlined the man's commitment to his team's cause. 

"No, it's not his style at all (to walk off when England desperately needed a win). He's here to play in the World Cup. He wants to be here and they say it's important for us to try and qualify for that Champions Trophy and he wants to make sure we try and achieve that," Buttler said. 

Stokes also pressed home his willingness to fight till the very end for England's cause by insisting at the post-match presentation ceremony that he never wanted to leave England hanging in a tough spot. 

"No, I don't leave anyone hanging," Stokes had said in response to the query following his match-winning hundred, for which he was awarded the 'Player of the Match' trophy.

  "Happy to get back to winning more than getting a ton. It's been a tough World Cup."