Jos Buttler will unfortunately miss next week’s Twenty20 series against Australia due to a recurring calf injury.
Buttler, who was scheduled to join the team on Sunday to celebrate his 34th birthday, has had his plans derailed by this injury.
The right calf issue not only rules him out of the T20 series but also casts doubt on his participation in the subsequent five-match one-day series.
New Leadership for England
With Buttler sidelined, England might face Australia across eight matches with different captains at the helm.
Phil Salt has been confirmed as the T20 captain, while Harry Brook is expected to lead the 50-over side if Buttler isn’t back in time.
This shift in leadership will mark a significant change for the team.
Squad Changes and Replacements
In light of Buttler’s absence, Surrey all-rounder Jamie Overton has been called up to replace him in the T20 squad.
Additionally, Essex batter Jordan Cox has been added to the ODI squad.
England’s white-ball matches are set to begin in Southampton next Wednesday, just a day after the third Test against Sri Lanka is scheduled to end.
Context and Previous Injuries
This series was set to be Buttler’s first England action since a review of the white ball squad, which led to Matthew Mott’s departure as coach but saw Buttler retain his captaincy.
Buttler’s calf injury first occurred while preparing for the Hundred in July and was further aggravated before Lancashire’s Vitality Blast quarter-final at Sussex.
England Squads for Australia White-Ball Series
T20 Squad:
- Phil Salt (Lancashire) – Captain
- Jofra Archer (Sussex)
- Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
- Brydon Carse (Durham)
- Jordan Cox (Essex)
- Sam Curran (Surrey)
- Josh Hull (Leicestershire)
- Will Jacks (Surrey)
- Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)
- Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
- Dan Mousley (Warwickshire)
- Jamie Overton (Surrey)
- Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
- Reece Topley (Surrey)
- John Turner (Hampshire)
ODI Squad:
- Jos Buttler (Lancashire) – Captain
- Jofra Archer (Sussex)
- Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
- Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
- Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
- Brydon Carse (Durham)
- Jordan Cox (Essex)
- Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
- Josh Hull (Leicestershire)
- Will Jacks (Surrey)
- Matthew Potts (Durham)
- Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
- Phil Salt (Lancashire)
- Jamie Smith (Surrey)
- Reece Topley (Surrey)
- John Turner (Hampshire)