Cricket

Jos Buttler's return to the helm of England's white-ball team has been further delayed due to a persistent calf injury. The 34-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has been sidelined for four months and will miss the upcoming ODI leg of the Caribbean tour.Buttler's injury woes began in June during England's T20 World Cup campaign. He has not played a competitive match since their semi-final defeat to India. Despite missing the Hundred and the T20I and ODI series against Australia, Buttler was expected to make his comeback in the Caribbean.However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that Buttler has suffered a "slight setback" in his rehabilitation. As a result, he will fly directly to Barbados for the five-match T20I series starting on November 9.In Buttler's absence, Liam Livingstone will captain England in the ODIs. It will be his first time leading the team in this format. Harry Brook, who stood in for Buttler against Australia, is currently in Pakistan preparing for the third Test.England will announce a replacement player in due course. Jordan Cox and Rehan Ahmed are potential candidates, as they were originally intended to join the tour as additional players.Buttler's continued absence has raised concerns about his international future. However, incoming white-ball coach Brendon McCullum has assured that Buttler remains a key part of his plans. McCullum has praised Buttler's leadership and ability to inspire his teammates.Marcus Trescothick, England's interim white-ball coach, has also expressed confidence in Buttler's return. He believes that Buttler will seamlessly reintegrate into the team and continue to contribute significantly.

The Abu Dhabi T10, a fast-paced and exciting cricket tournament, is set to return in 2024 with a star-studded lineup. The tournament, which will expand to a ten-team league, has attracted some of the biggest names in the sport.Rashid Khan, the Afghan spin sensation, and Jos Buttler, the England wicketkeeper-batter, are among the high-profile players who have signed up for the tournament. Khan will join the Bangla Tigers, while Buttler will represent the Deccan Gladiators.Other notable signings include Dinesh Karthik, who has joined the Tigers after retiring from international cricket. Karthik, who is known for his explosive batting, will be a valuable addition to the Tigers' lineup.The defending champions, New York Strikers, have retained their core of Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, and Akeal Hosein. The Strikers have also added Matheesha Pathirana, the Sri Lankan fast bowler, to their squad.The Deccan Gladiators have retained Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, and Maheesh Theekshana. They have also signed Marcus Stoinis, the Australian all-rounder, who will add depth to their batting and bowling.The Abu Dhabi T10 will also feature some of the most exciting young talents in the game. Finn Allen, the New Zealand opener, will join the Northern Warriors, while Lockie Ferguson, the New Zealand fast bowler, will represent Team Abu Dhabi.The tournament will run from November 21 to December 2, avoiding an overlap with other major cricket tournaments. This will allow players to participate in the Abu Dhabi T10 without missing out on other commitments.The Abu Dhabi T10 is a major boost for cricket in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament has helped to raise the profile of the sport in the region and has attracted some of the biggest names in the game.

Despite the cancellation of the fifth ODI due to rain, England's victorious squad gathered for their trophy presentation, with Jos Buttler mingling with fans despite his calf injury. Buttler's absence from the field has not diminished his popularity, highlighting the conundrum facing England's limited-overs captain.While Buttler has played a similar role to Ben Stokes during the Test series against Sri Lanka, his presence among the fans during the rain delay was a testament to his enduring status as a crowd favorite. Despite his hands-off approach, Buttler has been actively involved in the team's white-ball regeneration, working closely with players and coaches.Brendon McCullum, who will take over as head coach in 2025, identified Buttler's happiness as crucial to the team's revival. The promising results of the T20I series and the 3-2 ODI loss to Australia have shown that there is potential for growth under Buttler's leadership.Interim head coach Marcus Trescothick believes that Buttler's absence from the field has allowed him to step back and observe the team's dynamics, building relationships and understanding their strengths and weaknesses. Trescothick has been acting as McCullum's surrogate, communicating regularly about selection and strategy.Buttler is expected to return to the playing XI for the upcoming series against West Indies, but his exact role remains uncertain. The proximity to the Pakistan tour may mean that he resumes wicketkeeping, while Harry Brook's impressive leadership skills have raised questions about the long-term captaincy.Brook's ability to lead by example and his positive decision-making have made him a potential successor to Buttler. However, the final decision will rest with Buttler, who remains the team's captain for the foreseeable future.The focus for England and Buttler is to ensure that he slots back into the team seamlessly. The changes and conversations that have taken place during his absence have been aimed at creating an environment where Buttler can flourish and the next generation of players can develop.

Jos Buttler, England's white-ball captain, is currently sidelined with a calf injury. Despite his absence, he has been actively involved in planning the team's future under new head coach Brendon McCullum.Buttler believes that the younger generation of cricketers, shaped by franchise-based T20 cricket, possess a fearless nature and are ready for international cricket. He attributes this to the high-intensity and competitive environment of these tournaments, which bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.The IPL's "impact player" rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match, has sparked debate. However, Buttler emphasizes the importance of all-rounders, who provide balance and versatility to the team. He believes that multi-skilled players are crucial for success in modern cricket.Buttler is excited to work with McCullum, who has had a significant impact on the Test team. He acknowledges that having a single head coach across formats can provide consistent messaging, but also recognizes the need for flexibility and smart scheduling.Despite the availability of data and input from various sources, Buttler believes that the captain's role remains vital, especially in T20 cricket. He emphasizes the importance of making quick decisions on the field and managing the game effectively.

Moeen Ali, a veteran of England's white-ball triumphs, has expressed unwavering confidence in Brendon McCullum's ability to revitalize the team's fortunes. Ali believes that McCullum's charisma and experience will empower captain Jos Buttler, who has faced criticism for his recent performances.McCullum, a former New Zealand captain and renowned batter, brings a unique aura to the dressing room, according to Ali. His on-field accomplishments will give him instant credibility, unlike his predecessor, Matthew Mott. Ali emphasized that McCullum's energy and leadership will alleviate the pressure on Buttler, allowing him to focus solely on his role as captain.Ali's comments stem from his observations of Buttler's demeanor during the recent World Cup, where he appeared visibly frustrated. McCullum's appointment is expected to provide Buttler with a much-needed support system.Despite his retirement from international cricket, Ali remains optimistic about England's future. He believes that a new generation of players is emerging, and that Buttler will have no shortage of capable lieutenants. Phil Salt and Harry Brook are among those who have shown leadership potential.Ali also highlighted the importance of Buttler establishing his own leadership style. While he acknowledges that he may have overstepped his role as vice-captain at times, he believes that Buttler will create an environment where players feel comfortable sharing their ideas.With McCullum at the helm and a talented squad at his disposal, Ali is confident that England can rebuild and regain their status as a white-ball powerhouse.

Brendon McCullum, the newly appointed all-format head coach of England's cricket team, has identified the need to revitalize the white-ball team by uplifting the spirits of captain Jos Buttler. McCullum believes that Buttler's recent struggles with form and tactical errors have taken a toll on his demeanor, leading to a more negative disposition on and off the field.McCullum, who has observed England's decline from afar, believes that Buttler's leadership is crucial to the team's success. He aims to create an environment where players feel confident and supported, with Buttler providing the necessary encouragement and guidance. McCullum's close friendship with Buttler, despite never having played alongside him, is seen as a key factor in fostering this positive atmosphere.The former New Zealand captain is confident in his ability to help Buttler rediscover his former self, recognizing his exceptional talent and leadership qualities. McCullum believes that the final stages of Buttler's career can be the most fulfilling, with the opportunity to enjoy the game and inspire his teammates.McCullum also addressed the availability of Test captain Ben Stokes for limited-overs cricket. While Stokes has expressed his desire to focus on Test captaincy, McCullum hopes to persuade him to continue playing in white-ball formats. He believes that Stokes' experience and leadership are invaluable, especially in major events and big series.The coach emphasized the importance of managing player workloads, acknowledging that not all players can participate in every series. However, he stressed that the best players will be considered for major tournaments and high-profile matches.

Jos Buttler's injury woes continue as he has been ruled out of England's T20I series against Australia and could potentially miss the subsequent ODI series. The setback in his recovery from a right calf injury has cast a shadow over England's transition towards a younger core under new coach Brendon McCullum.Buttler, England's limited-overs captain, sustained the injury in July while preparing for the Hundred. He had hoped to make his comeback in Lancashire's Vitality Blast quarter-final on Wednesday, but the aggravation of the injury has put his participation in the rest of the summer in jeopardy.Phil Salt, who has limited captaincy experience, will assume the captaincy duties for the T20I series and is also expected to keep wicket. Harry Brook, Ollie Pope's vice-captain during England's Test series against Sri Lanka, is set to lead the ODI leg of Australia's tour.Jamie Overton has been called up as a replacement in the T20I squad, while Jordan Cox has been added to the ODI squad as cover. England remain hopeful that Buttler can play some part in the ODI series, but his absence would be a significant blow as they look to rejuvenate the team after disappointing World Cup campaigns.This setback is particularly concerning for Buttler, who has now suffered three calf injuries in the past four years. As he approaches his 34th birthday, his future as captain and his longevity as an international cricketer may depend on giving up wicketkeeping duties to preserve his body.

Jos Buttler's recovery from a calf injury has suffered a setback, ruling him out of Lancashire's T20 Blast quarter-final and casting doubt on his availability for England's upcoming T20I series against Australia.The England captain has not played any cricket since the T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to India in June. He sustained a calf injury in July while preparing for the Hundred, which forced him to miss the tournament.Buttler had been targeting Wednesday's quarter-final at Hove for his comeback after weeks of rehabilitation. However, he has now been ruled out of contention, as confirmed by Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein."We've had some bad news on his recovery," Benkenstein said. "He had an injury he was recovering from, and he's sort of tweaked it again. He's not only just out of our T20s, but I think he's even struggling to make the international ones. He was very keen to play for us."England are not overly concerned about Buttler's fitness ahead of their first T20I on September 11 and remain hopeful that he will be available to captain the side throughout Australia's eight-match white-ball tour.England's new-look squad are due to report to the Utilita Bowl on Sunday ahead of two training days, when their medical staff will get a clearer picture as to whether Buttler will be available.England's white-ball teams do not have an official vice-captain, with Sam Curran and Phil Salt the main contenders to deputise in the event that Buttler is unavailable. He is not expected to keep wicket during the T20I series, which increases the chance that he will be able to feature despite suffering a setback.Lancashire will have their other England players available on Wednesday night at Hove, with Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Saqib Mahmood all set to be involved. Jofra Archer is expected to feature for Sussex, whose T20 side is captained by Tymal Mills.Hove has not hosted a T20 quarter-final in front of a crowd since 2019, and tickets have been sold out for the past two weeks.

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.