England’s new white-ball coach Brendon McCullum has named white-ball skipper Jos Buttler to be one of England’s greatest of all-time players in the format.
Brendon McCullum was recently appointed as England’s white-ball head coach after the former Kiwi great has been in the role of their red-ball coach for nearly 2 years. McCullum changed the course of the game for England in the longest format with his unique ways of aggressiveness in the format as he evolved the Bazball technique.
Now he will be seen in a white-ball role, and his term is to commence from the beginning of 2025. He has backed Jos Buttler as the greatest of all time in the format.
“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 was quoted saying to Sky Sports.
Buttler was recently ruled out of the Australia tour following the calf injury he faced during the preparation of the Hundred and failed to make a comeback with the playoffs in the one-day competition.
Phil Salt has replaced Jos Buttler as the England skipper for the T20I series commencing today; however, Buttler is also likely to miss the 5-match long ODI series against the visiting Aussies.
What’s next for Buttler and England?
England is ready to host Australia for a 3-match T20I series and then followed by an ODI series, which will commence on the 19th of September. Phil Salt leads England’s T20I side, while Jamie Overton and Jordan Cox are all set to make their debut in the shortest format of the game.
Also, Josh Hull was picked for the format after he made his debut in the longest format for England in the final test against Sri Lanka at the Oval. Though Buttler has not been ruled out of the ODI series as of now, if he does not fit by his standards, then Cox has been kept as his replacement.
Also, Harry Brook might be considered the ideal option by the ECB, and stand-in coach Marcus Trescothick is the ideal man to replace Jos Buttler as their ODI skipper for the awaited series. However, England would want Buttler’s recovery prior to the India series in the upcoming year and also the Champions Trophy, which is likely to be held in Pakistan in the coming year.
