In a significant development, Jos Buttler has been forced to withdraw from The Hundred due to a calf injury, raising concerns about his future as England’s white-ball captain. Buttler, who was set to lead the Manchester Originals in the tournament’s fourth edition, sustained the injury during a recent training session.
The severity of the injury means Buttler could be out of action for up to six weeks. This timeline casts doubt over his availability for England’s upcoming white-ball series against Australia, which includes three T20Is starting on September 11. The full extent of his injury is yet to be determined, but his prolonged absence could have serious implications for England’s preparations.
According to The Telegraph, Buttler will soon enter discussions with England’s managing director, Rob Key, regarding his captaincy. This follows England’s underwhelming performances in recent major tournaments, including a group-stage exit at the 2023 ODI World Cup and a semi-final loss to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they failed to defend their title.
England is currently engaged in a three-Test series against the West Indies at home, with Rob Key conducting a thorough review of their T20 World Cup campaign. Reports suggest that this review, along with the ODI World Cup debacle, has put Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott’s positions under scrutiny.
Further compounding the issue, Buttler is reportedly facing criticism within the team, with his leadership being questioned by both backroom staff and players. As England looks ahead to the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, there is speculation that the team may appoint a new captain to steer them toward the next major tournament.
In the immediate term, Phil Salt will step in as captain of the Manchester Originals in Buttler’s absence. The team is expected to announce a replacement player for The Hundred in the coming days.
This injury and the subsequent uncertainty surrounding Buttler’s captaincy mark a challenging period for both the player and the England cricket team as they navigate the road to upcoming international competitions.
