Ben claims Buttler remains Jos right

JOS BUTTLER has been backed by Ben Stokes to stay on as England’s white-ball captain.

The defending champions lost to India by 68 runs in Thursday’s T20 World Cup semi-final.

It followed a dismal title defence at last year’s 50-over World Cup, in which England failed to reach the last four.

But England Test skipper Stokes, below, told the BBC: “Jos is the man to lead that white-ball team forward.

“He’s a great leader. He’s got the respect of all the team members in the dressing room.”

Stokes is convinced England’s white-ball sides are heading in the right direction under head coach Matthew Mott and Buttler, top.

The all-rounder said: “Being part of sport is about growing and progressing your sides.

“That’s just like what we’re trying to do in the Test team. It’s all about progressing and trying to become better and better. It’s not shabby to say that you got through to a World Cup semi-final, I don’t think. Obviously, I was devastated for them.

“They got through in a strange way – there was a lot of bad weather around – but when they were put under pressure, especially towards the back end of the group stages, they showed what a good team they were.

“When you are under pressure, that’s when good teams come together and show what they’re about.

“India are a very, very good team, especially in the conditions that sort of wicket offered in Guyana. It gave India a huge advantage.”

India, who lifted the first T20 World Cup title in 2007, and South Africa, who have never won it, meet in the final in Barbados today.

Outside of India’s no-result against Canada – a match that was abandoned because of rain without a ball being bowled – both sides have won all their games in the tournament.