Jos Buttler, England’s white-ball captain, has been sidelined from the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies due to a fresh injury complication, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on October 21. The tour is set to begin on October 31, and Buttler’s absence marks a significant blow to England’s plans, as the wicketkeeper-batter was expected to make a comeback from his earlier injury.
Buttler was originally slated to return to the squad after recovering from a calf injury that had kept him out of action for months. However, in a recent update, the ECB revealed that he experienced a minor setback during his rehabilitation process, forcing him to sit out the ODI matches. Despite this disappointment, there is optimism around his recovery, with Buttler likely to join the team in Barbados ahead of the five-match T20 International (T20I) series, which is scheduled to kick off on November 9.
With Buttler ruled out, England has turned to all-rounder Liam Livingstone to lead the ODI side. This will be Livingstone’s first opportunity to captain his national team, as he takes the helm for the three-match series. The Lancashire cricketer, known for his explosive batting and versatile bowling, will be keen to make a mark in his new leadership role.
Meanwhile, England’s decision on whether to bring in a replacement for Buttler remains pending. Harry Brook, who had captained England in a previous series against Australia, is currently unavailable as he is engaged in Test cricket in Pakistan. Brook’s absence and Buttler’s injury leave England’s ODI squad facing some selection challenges ahead of the series.
Buttler’s injury woes have been ongoing, with the star player already missing England’s recent limited-overs series against Australia. The team managed a 1-1 draw in the T20I series but suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat in the ODI leg against the reigning world champions.
As one of the most feared white-ball cricketers in modern times, Buttler’s return is eagerly awaited by fans and teammates alike. The 34-year-old played a pivotal role in England’s historic 2019 World Cup victory, showcasing his ability to change the course of a game with his aggressive batting style. However, since his last appearance in the T20 World Cup held in June across the U.S. and West Indies, Buttler has been on the sidelines as England continues to rebuild their limited-overs team without one of its biggest assets.
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