India vs England | Selection dilemma for hosts ahead of the third Test, says Jos Buttler

After a match winning performance on the last day of the first Test, where he picked up three crucial wickets, Ben Stokes had to leave the team due to his court trial. After a lot of speculations, he was replaced by Chris Woakes, who proved his mettle by taking a couple of wickets in each innings and scoring a maiden century in the second Test at Lords. Now, with Stokes cleared by the courts, England will have to make a huge selection decision despite being two wins up in the series. 

Jos Buttler also has the same questions and believes that with Stokes’ arrival, it will be a tough time to make a choice among consistently good players who have already proved their worth in the last two matches of the series.

“It will be a tough selection for the third Test at Trent Bridge. Sam Curran and Chris Woakes have won the Man of the Match awards in the first two Tests and, with Ben Stokes coming back into the squad, it will be a difficult decision for the coach and captain,” Buttler told Sky Sports.

Buttler also spoke largely of his fellow teammate, Ben Stokes and also mentioned that the entire English side has always loved to have him around and they also have been looking forward and expecting him to keep his past aside and get back to playing good cricket like he always have been. He mentioned that the team is in a good spirit of enthusiasm after two consecutive victories against a good team like India and the return of Stokes shall be another delight. 

“Stokes walks into most teams around the world and so, back available, I’m sure he will be one of the first names on the team sheet. I’m looking forward to seeing him joining us back at training. It has been a difficult 10 or 11 months for him, I’m sure, but it’s important for him that he can get back to being the amazing cricketer we know and love. The England dressing room is high on confidence after two big wins against the world number one team. The atmosphere among the lads is great after such an emphatic win over India at Lord’s. The dressing room is a special place to be on days like that - celebrating with your teammates, it’s one of the most enjoyable parts of playing cricket,” Buttler concluded.