‘He’s been a little bit miserable’: England coach Brendon McCullum aims to uplift injured captain Jos Buttler
While Buttler’s availability for the subsequent ODI series remains uncertain, head coach Brendon McCullum has outlined his vision to revitalize both the team and its captain.
With Buttler sidelined, opener Phil Salt will assume T20 captaincy duties, leading a squad featuring both established names and emerging talents.
The inclusion of uncapped Jordan Cox in both the T20 and ODI squads highlights England’s commitment to exploring fresh options. All-rounder Jamie Overton, who debuted in Test cricket last year, earns a call-up to the T20 squad, replacing Buttler.
Buttler’s absence presents a challenge, but McCullum, who recently took charge of England’s limited-overs setup alongside his Test duties, sees an opportunity to rebuild and inject fresh energy.
Recognizing the weight of expectation on Buttler’s shoulders, McCullum aims to foster a supportive environment where players feel empowered to perform.
“He’s been a little bit miserable at times. I think he’s not naturally as expressive as what some may be. He won a (T20) World Cup as captain. He’s been part of World Cup-winning teams previously as well. He’s an incredibly gifted player. He’s a fine leader. My job is to get the best out of him so that all those that sit in the dressing room feel like they can be 10 foot tall and bulletproof when they walk out to play,” McCullum said on Thursday, as quoted by Reuters.
“They know that the skipper is going to give them that extra pat on the back and enjoy the ride with them,” he added.
The upcoming series against Australia provides an early test for England’s white-ball teams.
The T20 series, scheduled from September 11-15, will be followed by the ODI series from September 19-29. These matches offer an opportunity for players to stake their claim and for McCullum to begin implementing his vision for the future of English white-ball cricket.
