Brook Named England Captain as Buttler got Injured

Liam Livingstone called up after being sidelined, while Josh Hull is also absent due to a quad injury.

Harry Brook is set to lead England for the first time during their five-match ODI series against Australia, stepping in for Jos Buttler, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the summer due to a calf injury sustained in July. Buttler's absence provides an opportunity for Liam Livingstone, who has been recalled to the ODI squad after initially being omitted.

Brook has been seen as a future captain for England, having previously led the team at the Under-19 World Cup in 2018. He served as captain of Yorkshire for four matches in the T20 Blast in 2022 and led the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred this season, winning five out of six of the matches he oversaw as they narrowly missed the knockout stage. He also acted as Ollie Pope’s vice-captain during England's recent 2-1 Test series victory over Sri Lanka, as the team management aims to cultivate long-term leadership options. Meanwhile, Phil Salt has been at the helm in the ongoing T20I series, which is currently tied at 1-1 ahead of a rain-affected decider in Manchester on Sunday.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for Brooky to take on the captaincy," Buttler remarked. "He has a laid-back demeanour, but he possesses all the right attributes. He’s a strategic thinker... I’m confident he’ll approach it in his unique style and will learn to identify the crucial moments in games. This is what we’re encouraging all team members—players and captains alike—to recognize and seize those pivotal moments to help secure victories."

While Brook steps up, Buttler's extended absence raises concerns due to his history of calf issues. He missed a significant portion of a series against Sri Lanka in 2021 because of a tear and was sidelined for England's seven-match T20I tour to Pakistan the following year with a strain that almost jeopardised his spot in the 2022 World Cup.

Buttler has not played since England's exit from the T20 World Cup in June, where they lost to India in the semifinals. Although he initially aimed to return for the T20 Blast quarter-finals, he encountered a setback during his rehabilitation. He has been part of the England squad for the ongoing T20I series against Australia and is looking forward to a comeback in November on their tour of the Caribbean.

"My recovery is progressing slower than hoped," Buttler noted. "It’s disappointing to miss the ODI series, but at my age, it's important to ensure I am fully recovered. It’s hard to miss out on cricket, but I want to make sure I’m ready for the future."

"Injuries give you time to pause and gain a new perspective. It’s been nice to be around the squad, meeting new faces and building relationships, which are so vital."

Buttler confirmed that he wouldn’t have been keeping wicket even if fully fit for the T20Is, following discussions with incoming coach Brendon McCullum. "After talking with Baz, I’ve realised that while injuries kept him from keeping, he enjoyed being in a more strategic position on the field," Buttler explained.

"I'll see how my calf holds up with running around in the field, or we might just have a fielder in that position for a while," he joked. "But I'm open to whatever it takes to help the team. Being the best captain possible is my priority, even if that means moving away from behind the stumps."

Livingstone's return follows his standout performances in the first two T20Is, where he took five wickets in six overs and scored 87 off 47 to secure a win in Cardiff. He expressed indifference about his earlier omission from the ODI squad, following a standout performance as the top scorer in England’s defeat at the Utilita Bowl.

Furthermore, England has announced that Josh Hull will not participate in the ODI series due to a minor quad injury sustained during his Test debut at The Oval last week. A team spokesperson indicated that this absence is precautionary, and Hull’s involvement in the upcoming three-match Test series in Pakistan remains unaffected.

The five-match ODI series kicks off at Trent Bridge on Thursday and will continue until September 29.

England ODI Squad: Harry Brook (capt), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, John Turner.