BUTTLER: WE PLAY BAZBALL ALREADY!

JOS BUTTLER has promised to match the heroics of Ben Stokes’ Test team as he leads England against India at the Ageas Bowl today for their first game since the resignation of Eoin Morgan.

But as England’s new white-ball captain embarks on the first of three T20 and three 50-over matches in 11 days, he sees no reason for revolution. Asked if there was an obligation on the T20 team to keep up with their record-breaking Test counterparts, Buttler — who is in regular touch with Morgan — said: ‘Yeah, I guess so, and that’s great. There’s a clear identity for that team now.

‘We’ve had that for a long time. We’re always trying to push the boundaries. I don’t feel we need to do something different for the sake of it. I still believe we are on the right course.’ Buttler recently returned from a stellar performance at the IPL amid rumours he might soon be welcomed back into the Test fold by Stokes and new head coach Brendon McCullum. But he downplayed the possibility, citing his new responsibilities.

‘It’s not a question that needs to be answered at the minute,’ he said. ‘I’m very focused on this, and there are not many spaces available in that team, are there? Being made captain in T20s and ODIs needs full focus and a lot of energy.’

And he insisted he was ready to step into Morgan’s giant shoes: ‘I’m in the best place I’ve ever been to become the captain of the team, so I’m excited for the challenge ahead.’ England will replace India at the top of the T20 rankings if they win both today’s game and Saturday’s second match at Edgbaston — but to stay as the No 1 side they will need to complete a clean sweep in Nottingham on Sunday. India welcome back captain Rohit Sharma, who missed the Edgbaston Test after testing positive for Covid.

FIRST T20: England v India, 6pm, Ageas Bowl. LIVE on Sky Sports.

ENGLAND (probable): Roy, Buttler (capt, wkt), Malan, Livingstone, Moeen, Salt, S Curran, Jordan, Mills, Topley, Parkinson.

INDIA (probable): R Sharma (capt), Kishan, Hooda, S Yadav, Karthik (wkt), H Pandya, A Patel, H Patel, Kumar, Malik, Chahal.