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After a triumphant tour of Pakistan, the England men’s team will be playing a final set of T20Is in Australia before the T20 World Cup. The Three Lions won a historic seven-game T20I series 4-3 and will bring that momentum with their returning captain Jos Buttler Down Under. Buttler missed the Pakistan tour due to a calf injury but has now recovered from the health concern.
Before the start of their three-game T20I series, Buttler addressed the media and confirmed that he is 100% ready for the Australia tour and the World Cup. He spoke on how the decision to sit out for the Pakistan tour was the right one as it allowed him to rehab and get ready for the marquee tournament.
"I'm back to 100 per cent," the England T20I captain said on Saturday. "Had a good time in Pakistan rehabbing, probably could have played earlier, but with the World Cup around the corner, it was the right thing to do."
Buttler also gave an update on T20 specialist Liam Livingstone’s fitness. He stated that Livingstone is away from 100% fitness and the team is hopeful to get him back for the World Cup. "(He) is still a little way off at the minute so he's building back," Buttler said. "Hopefully he'll get back to full fitness before the start of the World Cup."
The Rajasthan Royals batter also talked about all-rounder Ben Stokes, who will be returning to the World Cup after missing last year's event. "Ben's a superstar of the game and absolutely someone you want in your team, both on the field and off the field, he brings so much to the group," Buttler said.
“You just see a lot of excitement to have him back around. We know what a brilliant player he is. We'll try to get him up the order as high as we can. Give him as much responsibility as possible and allow him to play his way to get the best out of him," Buttler continued.
England squad for the Australia series: Jos Buttler (C), Moeen Ali (VC), Phil Salt, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Livingstone, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, Mark Wood.