Jos Buttler abandons England Cricket
Published - 01 Mar 2025, 10:44 AM | Updated - 01 Mar 2025, 10:53 AM
Wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has revealed his decision to step down as England's white-ball captain following the team's early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The 34-year-old cricketer stated that stepping down is the right choice for both himself and the team during a press conference.
Jos Buttler's captaincy has come under scrutiny after England were knocked out of the Champions Trophy. Their hopes ended after a crucial loss to Afghanistan in a must-win match. England still have one game remaining in the tournament, as they are set to face South Africa in Karachi on Saturday, March 1.
Jos Buttler Steps Down as England's White-Ball Captain
Jos Buttler expressed hope that a new leader would work closely with head coach Brendon McCullum to guide the team back to where it needs to be.
"It's the right decision for me, it's the right decision for the team and hopefully somebody else who can come in and work closely alongside Baz [Brendon McCullum] to take the team back to where it needs to be," Buttler said in a press conference on Friday (February 28).
Buttler managed only 23 runs against Australia and 38 against Afghanistan during the Champions Trophy 2025. With Buttler stepping down as captain, young batter Harry Brook, who served as his deputy, is the frontrunner to become England's white-ball skipper.
It's Quite Clear That This Tournament Was Going to Be Important - Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler said that the Champions Trophy was an important tournament for his captaincy. Buttler made it clear that his tenure had come to an end after England's early exit. He admitted feeling sadness and disappointment but hopes to move past it and enjoy his cricket again.
"Yeah, I think it's quite clear that this tournament was going to be important results-wise for my captaincy and obviously two losses and being out of the tournament with a bit of a hangover of some tournaments before, I think I just probably reached the end of the road for me and my captaincy, which is a shame," Buttler said.
"I think overriding emotions are still sadness and disappointment, but I'm sure in time that will pass and I can get back to really enjoying my cricket and also be able to reflect on what an immense honour it is to captain your country and all the special things that come with that."
Jos Buttler Appointed England’s White-Ball Captain in 2022
Jos Buttler became England’s white-ball captain in 2022 after Eoin Morgan’s retirement. He led the team to victory in the T20 World Cup later that year. However, the team suffered a series of setbacks following the World Cup victory.
England failed to defend their ODI World Cup title in 2023, suffering a group-stage exit. Their struggles continued in 2024 when they were eliminated in the T20 World Cup semi-finals. These back-to-back disappointments raised questions about Buttler’s captaincy.
England entered the Champions Trophy with poor ODI form, having suffered a 3-0 series whitewash against India just a week before the tournament in Pakistan and the UAE. Under Buttler’s captaincy, England played 44 ODIs and 51 T20Is, winning 18 and 26 matches, respectively.
