Jos Buttler Ruled Out of T20 Series Against Australia; Phil Salt to Captain England
England captain Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match Twenty20 series against Australia due to a calf injury. The 33-year-old has not played since June, following his participation in the T20 World Cup, and remains a doubt for the five one-day internationals (ODIs) that will follow the T20 matches.
In Buttler’s absence, Phil Salt will step up as captain for the T20 series, marking his first time leading England. Salt, a regular in England’s white-ball squads, has played 31 T20s and 19 ODIs for the national team, solidifying his place at the top of the order.
The T20 series is set to begin on Wednesday in Southampton, with the ODIs commencing on 19 September. Meanwhile, Harry Brook is expected to join the ODI squad should Buttler’s injury persist, making him a likely candidate to step in if needed.
England’s white-ball coach Matthew Mott has left the team following their semi-final exit in the T20 World Cup. In his place, interim coach Marcus Trescothick will guide the team through the Australia series and the upcoming West Indies tour in November. However, Test coach Brendon McCullum has been announced as the new limited-overs coach, though his tenure does not officially start until January.
Buttler initially sustained his calf injury during training before *The Hundred* tournament, causing him to miss not only the competition but also Lancashire’s T20 Blast quarter-final against Sussex. Salt, who filled in as Manchester Originals’ captain during *The Hundred*, will lead a refreshed T20 squad that includes six uncapped players, such as Surrey all-rounder Jamie Overton, called up as cover for Buttler.
With Salt taking over the captaincy, there’s a possibility he will also assume wicketkeeping duties, although Jordan Cox is available as another option behind the stumps.
Additionally, Harry Brook, fresh off serving as vice-captain during England’s Test series against Sri Lanka, will join the ODI squad after a short rest. The 25-year-old batter, who has captained the Northern Superchargers in *The Hundred*, is seen as a potential future leader of England’s senior side.
Jordan Cox, part of the Test squad this summer, has also been added to the ODI squad as a backup for Brook and will compete in the T20 series as well.