Jos Buttler, England's white-ball captain, is targeting a return to action in Lancashire's T20 Blast quarter-final against Sussex on September 4. Buttler has been sidelined since the T20 World Cup due to a calf injury but has been working diligently to regain fitness.
Buttler's return is a major boost for Lancashire, who are battling to avoid relegation in the County Championship and have struggled in the Metro Bank Cup. The T20 Blast represents their best chance of salvaging their season and reaching Finals Day.
Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein is optimistic about Buttler's availability, stating that he has been "doing a lot of rehab" and is "very keen to play." A fitness test on the day of the match will determine his participation.
Buttler's return will also be a welcome sight for England, who face Australia in a T20I and ODI series in September. Buttler has been backed to continue as England's white-ball captain despite the departure of head coach Matthew Mott. He will work alongside interim coach Marcus Trescothick during the series.
Lancashire will also be bolstered by the return of Saqib Mahmood and Phil Salt, who were rested for the Championship defeat to Surrey. Liam Livingstone and George Dockrell are also expected to be available.
Mahmood's workload is being carefully managed after two injury-plagued summers, while Salt has been nursing a back injury. Benkenstein believes that having a full-strength team for the knockout stages gives Lancashire a "best chance" of reaching Finals Day.
However, Buttler and other England players named in the T20 squad will not be available for Finals Day on September 14, which clashes with the second and third T20Is against Australia.
Tags: #JosButtler, #Lancashire, #T20Blast, #Sussex, #England
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