Jos Buttler will be sidelined for England’s upcoming one-day international Tri-series in Pakistan next month after sustaining a hamstring injury during the recent match against Sri Lanka, confirmed by limited-overs coach Brendon McCullum on Monday.
The former England captain experienced discomfort while batting in England’s narrow 16-run loss at Headingley last Thursday. He initially retired hurt but later returned to continue his innings. However, the 36-year-old was subsequently replaced by Jordan Cox for the third ODI at The Oval on Sunday, where Cox contributed a notable 76 runs in England’s commanding 223-run victory.
McCullum stated, “Jos won’t be in Pakistan. We know he’s an exceptional athlete, extremely fit, and a consummate professional, so he’ll do everything possible to recover quickly. However, it’s difficult to predict the exact timeframe for his return.”
England is scheduled to travel to Pakistan for the Tri-series, which also features the hosts and Sri Lanka, beginning on October 18. Following this, the team will head to Australia in November for a series comprising three ODIs and five Twenty20 internationals.
In a significant development, McCullum emphasized that Buttler’s absence provides an opportunity to evaluate England’s squad depth ahead of the 2023 50-over World Cup. “It’s disappointing not to have Jos, but it will be beneficial for us to assess where we stand,” he remarked.
He added, “Between now and the World Cup in 14 months, many unforeseen challenges will arise. There will be selections that seem certain but then get disrupted by injuries or scheduling conflicts. Preparing for such contingencies is essential as we build towards the tournament.”
The 2023 World Cup is set to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, commencing on October 4 next year.
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