Harry Brook to captain England in their upcoming five-match ODI series against Australia. Jos Buttler has been ruled out for the rest of the summer due to a calf injury he suffered in July. With Buttler sidelined, Liam Livingstone has been recalled to the ODI squad after originally being left out.
Brook, who has been seen as a future leader for England, has captained the Under-19 World Cup team in 2018. He also stepped in as Yorkshire captain during the T20 Blast in 2022 and led the Northern Superchargers in this year’s Hundred tournament, where he won five out of six matches, narrowly missing the knockout stages.
Leadership Experience and Buttler’s Endorsement
Brook has also served as vice-captain under Ollie Pope in England’s recent 2-1 Test series win over Sri Lanka. Phil Salt is currently leading the T20I series against Australia, which is tied 1-1 ahead of the final match in Manchester, which may be affected by rain.
“It’s a great opportunity for Brook to be captain,” Buttler said. “He is laid-back but thinks deeply about the game. He will find his own way to lead, and we encourage all players, including the captain, to identify key moments to win games and commit fully to them.“
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Buttler’s Injury Worries Continue
Buttler’s ongoing calf injury is a concern, especially since he has faced similar issues in the past. He missed most of a series against Sri Lanka in 2021 and was also ruled out of a seven-match T20I tour of Pakistan the next year. His injury also threatened his participation in the 2022 World Cup.
Since England’s elimination from the T20 World Cup in June, Buttler hasn’t played any cricket. He initially aimed to return in the T20 Blast quarter-finals but had a setback in his recovery. He is with the England squad for the T20I series against Australia and hopes to return for the Caribbean tour in November.
“My recovery is slower than expected,” Buttler admitted. “It’s disappointing to miss the ODI series, but I want to make sure I get it right, especially at my age. I’m looking forward to the future.“
Livingstone’s Return and Josh Hull’s Injury
Liam Livingstone has been recalled after his standout performances in the T20I series, where he took five wickets and smashed 87 off 47 balls in Cardiff. Livingstone had initially been left out of the ODI squad but was brought back following his impressive form.
Meanwhile, Josh Hull will miss the ODI series after suffering a minor quad injury on his Test debut last week at The Oval. However, his absence is precautionary, and he is expected to be fit for October’s Test tour of Pakistan.
The five-match ODI series against Australia begins at Trent Bridge on Thursday and will conclude on September 29.
England ODI Squad
- Harry Brook (captain)
- 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
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