Jos Buttler to Miss T20 Series Against Australia Due to Calf Injury, Phil Salt to Captain England
Jos Buttler to Miss Australia T20 Series
England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match T20 series against Australia due to a calf injury. The 33-year-old, who was last seen in action during the T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to India in Guyana on June 27, has faced a setback in his recovery. His absence sees Phil Salt stepping in as captain, leading England into the series starting on September 11 at The Utilita Bowl in Southampton.
The injury had already kept Buttler out of The Hundred, and with his recovery slowed, his availability for the five ODIs against Australia later this month remains uncertain. The one-day international series is scheduled to run from September 19 to 29, with all eight matches, including the T20Is, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Buttler's Replacement and Squad Updates
As Phil Salt takes over as captain for the T20 series, England has also called up Surrey all-rounder Jamie Overton to bolster the squad. Essex batter Jordan Cox, initially part of the T20 lineup, has been added to the ODI squad as cover, providing flexibility in both formats. Cox and Salt will compete for wicketkeeping duties during the T20 series, with England possibly considering Jamie Smith as an option for the ODI series, should Buttler remain unavailable.
The injury has reignited discussions about Buttler’s future role in the England team. Both England selector Luke Wright and interim white-ball coach Marcus Trescothick have indicated that Buttler could be used as a specialist batter moving forward to preserve his fitness.
England T20 and ODI Squad News
The England T20 squad features several promising young talents alongside seasoned campaigners. Players like Jofra Archer, returning from his own injury issues, and Liam Livingstone, known for his explosive batting, will be key to England’s chances against a strong Australian side led by Mitchell Marsh.
Australia's T20 Squad
Australia, captained by all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, comes into the series with a well-balanced squad. Players like Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, and Marcus Stoinis will provide the firepower with both bat and ball. The series promises a thrilling contest between two cricketing powerhouses.
Key Dates and Venues
- T20I Series:
- September 11: The Utilita Bowl, Southampton
- September 13: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
- September 15: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
- ODI Series:
- September 19-29: Live on Sky Sports
Australia’s T20 Squad:
Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
England’s T20 Squad:
Phil Salt (captain), 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.