- Jos Buttler replaced Eoin Morgan as England’s white-ball captain in June 2022
- His reign started positively as England won the World T20 in November 2022
- But, they crashed out in the group stage at the World Cup and Champions Trophy
England hope to appoint a new limited-overs captain within a fortnight following Jos Buttler’s resignation on the eve of today’s match against South Africa.
Vice-captain Harry Brook, 26, is the favourite to succeed Buttler, who will lead his country for the last time in their final group game of a sorry Champions Trophy campaign.
‘It’s quite clear this tournament was going to be important results-wise for my captaincy and two losses and going out with a bit of a hangover from tournaments before, I’ve just reached the end of the road,’ Buttler said.
It had been hoped that pairing Buttler with coach Brendon McCullum would have similarly recuperative effects on England’s white-ball fortunes as it did on their Test cricket in the summer of 2022, but results have not improved.
Indeed, when Buttler oversaw Twenty20 World Cup glory that same year, England were double world champions, but overall he found Eoin Morgan a hard act to follow.
Two poor world title defences combined with 22 defeats in 34 one-day internationals led to an inevitable conclusion.
England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler has announced that he will step down as captain
Buttler’s resignation comes after England crashed out of the Champions Trophy this week
Buttler announced his decision at a press conference before tomorrow’s game vs South Africa
Buttler (C) guided England to T20 World Cup glory months into his tenure in November 2022
However, they have lost 15 of their past 21 ODIs and struggled in three successive tournaments
‘My overriding emotions are sadness and disappointment but I’m sure in time that will pass and I’ll get back to really enjoying my cricket. Also, I’ll be able to reflect on what an immense honour it is to captain your country and all the special things that come with it,’ Buttler added.
After informing his players of his decision as they gathered at the team hotel for the transfer to evening practice at Karachi’s National Stadium, he confirmed he would continue to be available for selection.
‘It’s incredibly selfless from Jos to have made this call and I want us to celebrate what he’s been able to achieve,’ reflected McCullum, who was summoned to Buttler’s room by text on Thursday night to receive the news, 24 hours after England had been eliminated from the competition.
‘I said to the boys tonight, the impact you have in leadership positions can be felt after you’ve left the post, and I’m sure that’ll be the case. Joe Root is a classic example of that with the Test captaincy.
‘He was able to hold the fort to a degree in incredibly trying circumstances, then the uplift of performance when Ben Stokes took over followed from that. Hopefully it will be the same across the white-ball teams.’
Meanwhile, fast bowler Mark Wood will visit a knee specialist next week after damaging cartilage in an awkward landing during the eight-run loss to Afghanistan on Wednesday.