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England‘s ODI captaincy carousel continues to spin as Jos Buttler’s persistent calf injury forces him out of the upcoming series against West Indies. This setback has paved the way for Liam Livingstone to take the reins as the team’s sixth captain this year.
Livingstone has been appointed as the captain for the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies. This decision comes in light of Buttler’s ongoing struggles with a calf injury that has sidelined him since June. The 34-year-old, who has not played competitive cricket since England’s disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, continues to face setbacks in his recovery, raising concerns among the medical staff.
The injury saga of Jos Buttler
Buttler’s injury saga began during a family vacation when he sustained a calf strain while jogging on the beach. Initially expected to make a swift return for the home white-ball series against Australia in September, Buttler encountered multiple relapses during rehabilitation. His most recent setback occurred last week while running, which has now ruled him out of the three ODIs starting on October 31 in Antigua. The captain’s absence is particularly concerning as he races against time to be fit for the subsequent five-match T20 series against West Indies beginning November 9.
Liam Livingstone takes charge in Buttler’s absence
With Buttler out of action, Livingstone will become the sixth individual to captain England this year. The 31-year-old all-rounder is no stranger to leadership roles, having previously captained Lancashire across all formats. His promotion to captaincy signifies a remarkable turnaround; he had only recently been recalled to the ODI squad after being dropped for the series against Australia. Livingstone’s appointment reflects both his resilience and the team’s need for experienced leadership during this turbulent period.
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New faces in England’s squad
In addition to Livingstone’s elevation, Essex wicketkeeper-batter Michael Pepper has been named as Buttler’s replacement for the ODIs. This marks Pepper’s first call-up to the national team, offering him an exciting opportunity to showcase his skills at the international level. However, this development also poses challenges for seasoned players like Jonny Bairstow, who has not featured for England since the T20 World Cup 2024 and now faces increased competition for a spot in the squad.
A year of interim captains for Three Lions
The year 2024 has been marked by a series of interim captains for England due to injuries affecting key players like Ben Stokes and Buttler. Ollie Pope stepped in as captain for four Tests earlier this year, while Harry Brook and Phil Salt have taken charge of white-ball teams during Buttler’s absence. Brook is seen as a potential long-term successor but will miss the Caribbean tour due to scheduling conflicts, while Salt is focusing on acclimatizing to 50-over cricket without additional captaincy responsibilities.
As England prepares for their tour of the Caribbean, Livingstone’s leadership will be put to the test against a formidable West Indies side. While Buttler remains optimistic about returning for the T20 series, his injury raises questions about his participation in future matches, including crucial ODIs against India in January. With Brendon McCullum set to make his debut as head coach across all formats during that series, Buttler’s absence could significantly impact team dynamics leading up to key tournaments like the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.
England’s squad for the ODI tour of West Indies:
Liam Livingstone (c), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Jafer Chohan, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Michael Pepper (wk), Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, John Turner.
