Jos Buttler has resigned from his position as England’s white-ball captain following the team’s exit from the Champions Trophy at the group stage. He announced his decision on Friday, stating that his final match as captain would be against South Africa in Karachi.
England’s early elimination from the Champions Trophy came after defeats in their initial group matches against Australia and Afghanistan. Their preparation for the tournament included a tour to India where they managed only one win out of eight games under Brendon McCullum, the new white-ball coach.
“I am going to resign as England captain,” Buttler stated. “It feels like the right decision for both myself and the team. I hope a new captain, working alongside Baz, can guide the team to greater success.” Harry Brook, the current vice-captain, is considered a leading candidate to succeed Buttler.
Buttler will continue to be a part of the England team as a player. He expressed his desire to rediscover his enjoyment of the game. “My primary feelings are still sadness and disappointment,” he said. “However, in time, I believe this will pass, and I can refocus on enjoying my cricket and appreciate the immense privilege of captaining my country and the special experiences it brought.”
Buttler’s tenure as captain began in June 2022, succeeding Eoin Morgan. A highlight of his leadership was England’s T20 World Cup victory in Australia later that year. However, recent results have been less favorable, with England experiencing a string of unsuccessful ICC tournaments, including the 50-over World Cup in 2023, the T20 World Cup in 2024, and the current Champions Trophy.
Following England’s narrow defeat to Afghanistan, Buttler had hinted at his potential resignation, indicating a need to “consider all possibilities” and assess his role within the team’s struggles.
“It became clear that this tournament would be crucial, both in terms of results and for my captaincy,” Buttler explained. “Two losses and an exit from the tournament felt like a continuation of previous disappointments. I felt I had reached the end of my journey as captain, which is regrettable and saddening.”
He added, “With Brendon’s recent arrival, I was enthusiastic about collaborating with him to achieve a quick turnaround and propel the team forward. However, things haven’t unfolded as hoped, and it feels like the opportune moment for a change for both myself and the team.”
Buttler’s captaincy had faced increasing scrutiny due to England’s prolonged poor performance in ODIs, dating back to the beginning of the 2023 World Cup. As defending champions, England won only three out of nine group matches and were the first team eliminated from the tournament. This marked the start of a period where they have lost 18 of their last 25 ODI matches, including the defeats in the Champions Trophy.
Despite his likely status as one of England’s greatest white-ball batters, Buttler’s ODI form, mirroring the team’s, has declined in the past year and a half. His recent batting average in ODIs is 26.40 over 21 innings, with a reduced strike rate compared to his overall career rate.
While Brook is favored to take over the captaincy, McCullum stated that no decision has been made yet. He praised Buttler’s leadership and expressed his sadness at his resignation.
McCullum commented, “We have all witnessed Jos’s dedication to captaining his country and his efforts to maximize the potential of the team. It’s important to remember his World Cup victory just a couple of years ago, a feat that can never be diminished. It’s incredibly selfless of Jos to step aside and make way for someone else, and he remains a vital player for us going forward. We will explore how to optimize his role so he can have the greatest impact.”
Both Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, and Richard Gould, the ECB’s Chief Executive, acknowledged Buttler’s contributions as captain.
Key stated, “Working with Jos has been a pleasure. He has faced significant challenges but consistently strived to improve the team. No one deserved that World Cup victory in Australia more than him. I look forward to seeing him back in the team and performing at his best.”
Gould added, “I want to thank Jos for his commitment during his two and a half years as England Men’s white-ball captain. Under his leadership, England became T20 World Champions, and throughout his captaincy, he has been an exemplary figure both on and off the field.”
“Jos is an exceptional white-ball player. I have followed his career since his early days at Somerset, and I hope we will continue to enjoy his contributions to England cricket for many years to come.”
