England captain Jos Buttler '100 per cent' fit for Australia T20 series; Liam Livingstone a doubt for T20 World Cup opener
Jos Buttler has been suffering from a niggling calf injury since
mid-August; England's captain also confirmed that Ben Stokes will bat higher up
the order; follow Australia v England across Sky Sports' digital
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Jos Buttler is fit for Sunday's T20
international against Australia but Liam Livingstone is a doubt for England's
World Cup opener later this month.
England's captain has recovered from a calf
injury he suffered during the Hundred in August and watched from the
sidelines as his side beat Pakistan 4-3.
Buttler and England flew to
Australia after the series in Pakistan, where they will play three T20 matches
against the world champions ahead of the World Cup.
"I'm back to 100 per cent," Buttler 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."
His return to the side means one of Alex Hales and Phil Salt are expected to
fill the second opener's slot, with regular opener Jason roy dropped from
the squad due to poor form
"We have great options at the top of the order with guys in
really good form in Pakistan," Buttler said.
"They're both excellent options. Whoever I partner with will
have a great go at it."
Buttler's
return is a welcome boost for England, who have had to cope with injuries to
key players in recent months, with Livingstone (ankle) and Chris
Jordan (finger) both returning to the squad, while Jommu Bairstow has been
ruled out until 2023.
However, concerns remain over all-rounder Livingstone's fitness
ahead of the World Cup opener on October 22 against Afghanistan.
Buttler said Livingstone is "a little way off at the
minute", adding: "Hopefully he'll get back to full fitness before the
start of the World Cup."
Stokes to bat higher up the order
Test captain Ben Stokes will also return to the side, and Buttler
said the all-rounder would bat higher up in the line-up.
"Ben Stokes is someone we want to try to give as much
opportunity to impact the game as possible," Buttler said.
"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."
Australia
- who beat New Zealand in the 2021 T20 World Cup final to win the tournament
for the first time - come into the series fresh from a 2-0 sweep of west
Indies.
England play the reigning T20 World
Cup champions in Perth on Sunday before further matches in Canberra on October
12 and 14,
with a final warm-up against
Pakistan on October 17 before Buttler's men begin their World Cup campaign
against Afghanistan on October 22.
