England captain Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Australia following a calf injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Thursday (September 5). The injury might also sideline him from the subsequent five-match ODI series, depending on his recovery. Phil Salt will step in as the stand-in captain for the T20I matches.
Buttler sustained the calf injury prior to The Hundred, causing him to miss the entire tournament. Initially, there were hopes that he would recover in time for the Australia series. However, a setback in his recovery timeline could force him to sit out the remainder of England’s summer fixtures. Buttler has been out of action since England’s semi-final exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.
In Buttler’s absence, all-rounder Jamie Overton has been drafted into the T20I squad, though his role may be limited to batting as he continues his recovery from a stress-related back injury. Additionally, Jordan Cox, currently involved in England’s Test series against Sri Lanka, has been brought into the ODI squad as cover.
Australia, currently playing a T20I series in Scotland, will meet England for a three-match T20I series beginning on September 11 in Southampton. The ODI series between the two sides kicks off on September 19 at Trent Bridge.
England T20I Squad: Phil Salt (C), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, John Turner.
England ODI Squad: Jos Buttler (C), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Reece Topley, John Turner.