Jos Buttler’s calf injury rules him out of England’s T20I series against Australia

Jos Buttler’s bid to relaunch his captaincy of England’s white-ball teams has suffered a setback after he was ruled out of the three-match T20I series against Australia that starts next Wednesday with a recurrence of the calf injury that has derailed his season. The 33-year-old has not played since the failed T20 World Cup defence in June that cost Matthew Mott his job as head coach, having picked up the injury during a beach run on holiday.
In his absence, and with the previous vice-captain, Moeen Ali, now seemingly out of the picture, opener Phil Salt will lead the T20 team. England said Buttler is also a doubt for the five-match ODI series against Australia that completes the international summer. Jordan Cox, the uncapped Essex batter, has been added to the 50-over set-up as cover and Surrey’s Jamie Overton, who is playing as a batter this summer while recovering from a lower back stress fracture, comes into the T20 squad.
Should Buttler fail to make the start of the ODI series at Trent Bridge on 19 September then Harry Brook is understood to be named captain of this side. Like Salt, it would Brook’s first outing as an England skipper and further the leadership experience he gained at Northern Superchargers during the Hundred this season.
While Brendon McCullum will not officially begin as head coach of the white-ball teams until the new year – Marcus Trescothick will take on the role for the Australia series and a tour of the Caribbean in November – Buttler’s absence is a blow as he looks to demonstrate he is still the best candidate to lead.
Buttler is seemingly still the preferred choice in the role, having been namechecked by McCullum in the official press release that confirmed the New Zealander’s expanded role and contract extension on Tuesday. However, after two disappointing World Cup defences last winter – both in terms of runs and results – reasserting his authority over two refreshed squads will initially need to take place from the sidelines.