Jos Buttler Out for England’s T20s and ODIs Due to Injury

Jos Buttler will miss the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia and might also be unavailable for the subsequent five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) due to a calf injury. The 33-year-old has not played since the T20 World Cup in June. Phil Salt will lead the T20 team in Buttler’s absence while Harry Brook could step up for the ODIs if needed.

The T20 series kicks off on Wednesday in Southampton followed by the ODI series starting on September 19. England’s series marks their first white-ball matches since their semi-final exit from the T20 World Cup. After the World Cup, head coach Matthew Mott left but Jos Buttler remained as captain following a review by managing director Rob Key.

Marcus Trescothick will serve as England’s interim white-ball coach for both the Australia series and the West Indies tour in November. Brendon McCullum will take over both limited-overs teams starting in January. Buttler injured himself during training before The Hundred leading him to miss the entire competition and Lancashire’s defeat in the T20 Blast quarter-finals.

Phil Salt, who captained Manchester Originals in The Hundred will lead a refreshed T20 squad that includes six uncapped players such as Surrey’s Jamie Overton, whom the team has called up as Buttler’s cover. Salt, who has played 31 T20s and 19 ODIs might have taken on wicketkeeping duties if Buttler had been fit. Jordan Cox is another option for wicketkeeping.

Harry Brook will join the ODI squad after taking a break following England’s final Test against Sri Lanka where he served as vice-captain. Brook a former England Under-19 captain led Northern Superchargers in The Hundred and might become a future England captain. Cox, who is also in the T20 squad will offer additional cover for the ODIs.