England's stand-in coach Paul Farbrace believes Cumbrian Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler are two of his side’s most exciting players.

In-form Buttler, promoted to open, was again on form on Wednesday as he hit the fastest Twenty20 international half-century by an England batsman to lead them to a 28-run victory over Australia.

Buttler, 27, reached 50 from 22 balls at Edgbaston on his way to 61.

Stokes, from Cockermouth, was again absent from Wednesday’s team with England hopeful that he will make his return from a hamstring injury towards the end of the three-match T20 series against India, which starts on Tuesday in Manchester.

Asked if he had been more excited by an England player than Buttler, Farbrace told The Daily Mail : “Probably not.

“Maybe Stokes at times. He gets you off your seat, and he has shown just how good a player he is. He has played fantastically well.”

This year, Buttler and Stokes both played for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

Stokes, named the most valuable player at last season’s tournament, was unable to replicate those performances this time around. But, in contrast, Buttler made five successive half-centuries for Rajasthan Royals.

After their opening game, England will play India at Cardiff on Friday and Bristol on Sunday, with Farbrace taking charge of England for the series to give head coach Trevor Bayliss a breather.