Stokes praises Buttler for World Cup heroics

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP):

England captain Jos Buttler believes Ben Stokes is "in the conversation" when it comes to considering their greatest-ever cricketers after his stunning World Cup effort.

The 31-year-old steered England to a five-wicket triumph over Pakistan in the Twenty20 (T20) World Cup decider at the MCG yesterday with an unbeaten 52 runs from 49 balls.

It follows his match-winning performance in London when England defeated New Zealand in the 50-over World Cup in 2019. Stokes is a champion in all three formats of the game.

"We are immensely lucky to have him. He is one of the great players of English cricket," Buttler said.

"He is the ultimate competitor in anything he does. (He had) a hell of a lot of experience to bank on and he timed (his innings) perfectly."

Buttler has only been England's captain for four months and performed admirably throughout the World Cup.

He set the tone for the successful pursuit of a target of 138 with audacious batting at the top of the order when scoring 26 runs from 17 balls.

Despite the heroics of Stokes, the English captain credited his nation's bowling attack for their efforts throughout the World Cup.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam believes his nation fell 20 to 30 runs short of a target they could defend when restricted to 137 for eight wickets by the quality and variety of England's bowlers.

Left-arm pace bowler Sam Curran, who took three wickets for 12 runs from four overs, was named both the player of the final and also the tournament after taking 13 wickets through the competition.

Leg spinner Adil Rashid, who finished with two wickets for 22 runs from four overs, also bowled superbly when stifling Pakistan in the middle stages of their innings.

A jubilant Buttler also praised coach Matthew Mott, with the Australian completing a rare double with his adopted nation's triumph over Pakistan.

The 49-year-old had previously coached Australia's women to a stunning success over India in the women's T20 World Cup at the MCG in 2020 before accepting the role with England in May this year.