PAK vs ENG: Brendon McCullum takes U-turn on Jos Buttler after becoming white-ball coach

Brendon McCullum, the newly-appointed England head coach, has hailed the captain Jos Buttler as one of the finest white-ball cricketers in English cricket history. McCullum showered rich praise on Buttler despite his recent struggles.

The 34-year-old wicketkeeper batter has been ruled out of the three-match T20I series against Australia due to a calf injury that he suffered while preparing to participate in The Hundred 2024.

After missing The Hundred 2024 and now Australia T20Is, there is still no guarantee of Buttler returning for the upcoming ODI series. However, Buttler's recent setbacks did not make his contribution to England cricket any less significant.

Jos Buttler has had an unbelievable career: Brendon McCullum

He was key to England's 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup triumphs. However, under his captaincy, England failed to retain both World Cup titles.

Meanwhile, McCullum lauded Buttler for his phenomenal career and reiterated that the skipper is already a cricketing great.

He has stressed that Buttler has done enough, and even if he decided to quit now, he would go down as one of the greatest white-ball players England ever had.

Brendon McCullum, who is now England’s head coach in all three formats, said that he wants Buttler to keep enjoying his cricket and is looking forward to him continuing to lead the team in the T20Is and ODIs with the same passion and skill that have become synonymous with his career.

Sky Sports quoted Brendon McCullum as saying, “I think Jos has had an unbelievable career. If he were to retire tomorrow, he goes down as arguably the greatest white-ball player England has ever had. He has nothing left to prove.

I want him to get into a space in the next few years where he isn’t trying to protect anything. He just goes out there and absolutely loves playing for England, loves leading the white-ball side, and is able to get the most out of the talent around him.”

McCullum backs Buttler to return strong after Injury

Meanwhile, Brendon McCullum stressed that the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 remains the primary focus for him and the England team.

The head coach added that the team management wants to ensure Buttler recovers from his injury to be fit for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Brendon McCullum further explained, “That is my responsibility to keep pushing him towards that and keep reaffirming that message to him. Hopefully, he will be back from his injuries soon. The priority will be the Champions Trophy, so we are going to make sure he is ready for that.

It gives us some time to spark those conversations and formulate those structures and plans to marry up our beliefs and the language we are going to use with the team to get the most out of what sits in that dressing room.”

Notably, Brendon McCullum will officially assume the role of England’s head coach in January 2025, following their Caribbean tour. Until then, Marcus Trescothick will continue as the interim head coach.