Jos Buttler is aiming to make his return from a calf injury in Lancashire's T20 Blast quarter-final against Sussex, following a setback that forced him out of the Hundred. Buttler, who last played during the T20 World Cup, has received support from England’s managing director Rob Key to continue as the white-ball captain after Matthew Mott’s departure as head coach. He will collaborate with interim coach Marcus Trescothick, his former Somerset teammate, during the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Australia in September.
Buttler’s injury occurred while preparing for the Hundred, but he has since resumed training and has been working closely with England physio Craig de Weymarn in Bristol. In a recent Instagram post, Buttler shared his progress, stating, "Another good session completed," and expressed his frustration at missing the Hundred this year due to the injury. Although Buttler has not yet played for Lancashire this season, he is in contention for their quarter-final match at Hove on September 4, pending a late fitness assessment. Sussex, led by Tymal Mills to a second-place finish in the South Group, is expected to field Jofra Archer, who may bowl against his England captain.
Lancashire is striving to avoid relegation to the County Championship's second division and has only won two out of eight games in the Metro Bank Cup. The team is looking to salvage their season by advancing to Finals Day of the T20 Blast.
Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein told ESPNcricinfo on Sunday that the outlook is positive, with the hope that Buttler will be fit to play in the quarter-final. "We should have everyone fit for the quarter-finals. Jos has been doing a lot of rehab, and I've been in contact with him. He's very keen to play, and we're happy to make the decision at the last minute," Benkenstein said. Buttler is set to undergo a fitness test on the morning of the match, and if cleared by England’s physios, he will be in the lineup.
Saqib Mahmood and Phil Salt, who were rested during Lancashire's recent Championship defeat to Surrey, are expected to be available for the T20 quarter-final, along with Liam Livingstone. Chris Green will be away at the Caribbean Premier League, with Ireland’s George Dockrell stepping in as his replacement. Mahmood was rested to manage his workload after two injury-ridden summers, with Benkenstein noting, "It was too much of a risk." Salt also missed out due to a "dodgy back" and is unlikely to play against Hampshire next week.
Benkenstein acknowledged the challenges Lancashire has faced in the four-day competition but emphasised the importance of the T20 Blast. "The four-day competition has been tough for us, but the T20 has been a positive. We won five out of our first six games despite missing key players, and now we're heading into the knockout stages with a full-strength team, which gives us the best chance. Winning the T20 Blast is important for us, and we are two games away from Finals Day. That's what we're aiming for."
However, Buttler and other England T20 squad members will be unavailable for Finals Day on September 14, which falls between the second and third T20Is against Australia.