Wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has resigned as England's white-ball skipper after the team was knocked out following an eight-run loss to Afghanistan in the group stage at the Champions Trophy, stating on Friday (February 28) that he will helm the side for one last time against South Africa in Karachi on Saturday. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
"I'm going to stand down as England captain. It's the right decision for me and the right decision for the team. Hopefully somebody else who can come in alongside Baz [Brendon McCullum] will take the team to where it needs to be," Buttler said ahead of England's final Group B clash.
While Buttler will continue to play for England, talented batter Harry Brook, the team's vice-captain currently, is the front-runner to succeed him. Buttler followed Eoin Morgan as the Three Lions captain in June 2022 and won the T20 World Cup in Australia later that year. However, England's results have since been dismal, as they have had early exits in three consecutive ICC events - the 50-over World Cup in 2023, the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the ongoing Champions Trophy.
Buttler said that he wants to "get back to really enjoying my cricket". He added: "This tournament was important for my captaincy, but results did not go our way. I feel it's the right time to step aside.
"The overriding emotions are still sadness and disappointment. I'm sure, in time, that will pass and I can get back to really enjoying my cricket, and [will] also be able to reflect on what an immense honour it is to captain your country and all the special things that come with it."
Head coach Brendon McCullum lauded Buttler's captaincy, saying he was "incredibly sad" to see the keeper-batter step down. "We've all seen over the last couple of years how much he's invested in captaining his country and trying to get very best out of those guys around him,". McCullum said.
He added: "People forget that he literally won a World Cup only a couple of years ago, and that can never be taken away from him. It's incredibly unselfish from Jos to step aside and to leave the post for someone else, and he's still a huge player for us moving forward. I'm sure we will look at ways that we can get the best out of him in terms of his role, so he can have maximum impact as well."
