Jos Buttler ruled out of T20I series against Australia due to calf injury; Phil Salt named captain
England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has been officially ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Australia. The skipper is also in doubt for the ensuing ODI series after facing a setback in his recovery from a calf injury.
Buttler sustained the injury while preparing for The Hundred 2024 campaign with the Manchester Originals. However, he failed to recover in time, leading him to miss the entire season. His last competitive appearance came during the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to India.
The wicketkeeper was touted to return to full fitness ahead of the home white-ball series against Australia. However, he recently withdrew from Lanchashire's T20 Blast quarter-final fixture against Sussex.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named Jamie Overton as Buttler's replacement in the squad. The hosts have also opted to name Jordan Cox as cover in the ODI squad as well.
In Buttler's absence, Phil Salt will lead England in the T20I series. The swashbuckling opening batter took over Buttler's duties as captain during The Hundred 2024 season as well. He could only guide the Manchester Originals to the seventh place in the table, missing out on the playoffs by a considerable margin.
Harry Brook will captain the England team if Buttler fails to recover in time for the ODI series.
England updated squad for T20I series against Australia
Phil Salt (captain), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Adil Rashid, Jamie Overton, Reece Topley, and John Turner.
England's home series against Australia set to begin from September onwards
The new-look England squad under interim coach Marcus Trescothick will begin with the T20I series from September 11 onwards at the Rose Bowl. The ODI series is scheduled to start from September 19 onwards, and is a crucial phase of preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The series features several new names such as Dan Mousley, Jacob Bethell, and John Turner among others. Several senior players like Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow were not considered for the series.
Australia, on the other hand, have made a bright start to their tour of the United Kingdom. The Men in Yellow defeated Scotland by seven wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.