Jos Buttler backs Ben Stokes' England to become No 1 Test team in world despite Ashes failure in Australia

Jos Buttler has backed Ben Stokes to lead England to the top of the Test rankings despite the side's 4-1 Ashes failure in Australia this winter.

England lost the Ashes in just 11 days of cricket after an error-strewn first three Tests in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, with their lean preparation and aggressive style of cricket, plus a mid-series beach break in Noosa where they were pictured drinking, criticised.

A two-day victory in the Boxing Day game at the MCG - England's first Test win in Australia in 15 years - ended any danger of a 5-0 whitewash, but they were then beaten in the series finale in Sydney, as they suffered a 14th defeat in their last 28 matches.

But Buttler still believes Stokes is the man to turn England's fortunes around.