England Faces Setback as Captain Buttler Misses Australia T20 Series
England Faces Setback as Captain Buttler Misses Australia T20 Series: England’s white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, will miss this month’s three-match Twenty20 series against Australia due to a right calf injury. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Thursday that Phil Salt will lead the team in Buttler’s absence.
Buttler has been added to the team for the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia later this month. Buttler had also missed The Hundred tournament. However, the ECB noted that his participation remains uncertain due to his ongoing injury concerns.
To cover Buttler’s absence in the T20 series, all-rounder Jamie Overton, who made his Test debut in 2022, has been called up to the squad. Additionally, uncapped Jordan Cox has been named in the ODI squad as cover, following his earlier call-up to the T20 team.
The T20 series against Australia is scheduled to take place from September 11 to 15, while the ODI series will follow from September 19 to 29. The T20 series promises to be a critical test for the new-look England side under Phil Salt’s leadership, providing an opportunity for several young players to showcase their talent on the international stage.
The squad announcement reflects a blend of experienced players and emerging talents. England’s bowling attack, led by Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid, will be bolstered by the likes of Reece Topley and Saqib Mahmood, while the batting line-up will feature power hitters such as Liam Livingstone and Will Jacks.
England T20 Squad:
- Phil Salt (captain), Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, John Turner, Jacob Bethell.
England ODI Squad:
- Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Reece Topley, John Turner, Jacob Bethell.
With Buttler’s fitness still a concern, England’s selectors will be keeping a close eye on his recovery ahead of the ODI series. Meanwhile, the upcoming T20 series against Australia offers a chance for emerging players to stake their claim for a regular spot in England’s limited-overs squads as the team gears up for an exciting cricketing month.
