Jos Buttler has decided to step down from his role as England’s white-ball captain following their disappointing exit from the Champions Trophy.
A string of back-to-back losses against Australia and Afghanistan sealed England’s fate in the group stage. The team’s performance also fell short in both the 2023 50-over World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup under Buttler’s captaincy.
Let’s delve into some potential candidates who could take the helm from Buttler after his final match as captain, which is scheduled against South Africa on Saturday.
Harry Brook
Harry Brook seems the most promising contender, having just served as Buttler’s deputy and showcased his leadership skills as a stand-in captain in five one-day internationals against Australia last September.
Although England lost 3-2, Brook emerged as the leading run-scorer in the series, which was an impressive feat, especially as he propelled Northern Superchargers to the cusp of The Hundred eliminator with Andrew Flintoff. Despite a tough stint in Asia recently, Brook’s status as an all-format player complicates matters slightly since the Test and white-ball schedules might overlap. Prioritizing Tests this year could mean he’ll skip some T20 or ODI series.
Phil Salt
While Brook covered the ODIs during Buttler’s injury-induced absence when Australia last toured England, Phil Salt took charge during the T20 series and remarked that he “really enjoyed my first go at captaincy.”
A dynamic opener who fits seamlessly into the Bazball philosophy, Salt could mesh well with head coach Brendon McCullum and would be available for all fixtures, given he’s not part of the Test squad. Nevertheless, his recent form is a concern, with only one fifty in his last 10 white-ball matches. After a series of soft dismissals, doubts linger about his suitability for the demands of ODIs.
Liam Livingstone
Initially overlooked before Australia’s visit, Liam Livingstone shone when given a second chance and leadership in the Caribbean during Buttler’s ongoing calf issues. His unbeaten 124 in Antigua, after batting further up the order, hinted at a promising future, yet he’s failed to capitalize, managing only two scores above 15 in his last 10 innings.
Critiques of his shot selection as a finisher, coupled with a moderate ODI record, suggest his position might be in jeopardy.
Sam Curran
With captaincy experience for the Punjab Kings in the IPL and at Surrey, Sam Curran has been on the sidelines under McCullum. Following his player of the tournament role in the victorious 2022 T20 World Cup, Curran’s fortunes, much like England’s, have waned, with declining performance metrics in both bowling and batting.
Still only 26, Curran continues to impress in T20 franchise leagues, so a comeback could be on the horizon. Being out of the current setup may, in fact, enhance his prospects as England has endured a tough run, losing nine out of their last 10 matches.
Ben Duckett
In 2021, Ben Duckett led Welsh Fire in The Hundred’s maiden season, finishing as the men’s competition’s second highest run-scorer despite the team’s second-bottom finish. Alongside Joe Root, Duckett is one of the few batters to exit recent matches with any credit, thriving under McCullum across all three formats.
However, like Brook, England is likely to be cautious about overloading him, especially with the Ashes looming. Additionally, Duckett’s occasional verbal missteps might see him remain in the ranks rather than lead.
For further reading on the situation: Jos Buttler steps down as England white-ball captain.
