In a significant blow for the Manchester Originals, Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the ongoing edition of The Hundred due to a calf injury. The 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman was already sidelined for the first three matches of the tournament, all of which ended in defeats for his team. Buttler’s absence has been keenly felt, as the Originals struggle to find their footing in the competition.
Buttler’s injury comes at a crucial time, with the England national team set to face Australia in a highly anticipated series starting on September 11. This series will feature three T20 internationals followed by five One Day Internationals, making it imperative for Buttler to focus on his recovery. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly optimistic about Buttler’s return for the international fixtures, but the timeline for his recovery remains uncertain.
Despite the challenges facing the team, Rob Key, managing director of men’s cricket at the ECB, has expressed confidence in Buttler’s leadership. “Jos remains an integral part of our plans moving forward,” Key stated. “His experience and skill are invaluable, especially with the Ashes and other key tournaments on the horizon.”
In Buttler’s absence, Phil Salt has taken over the captaincy duties for Manchester Originals. Salt has shown promising leadership, but the team’s performance has suffered, currently sitting at the bottom of the points table with three consecutive losses. There has been no official word on whether a replacement for Buttler will be sought, as the Originals look to turn their season around.
This is not the first time Buttler has faced injury issues in The Hundred. Last season, he was also unable to participate due to a calf injury, which raises concerns about his fitness moving forward. The ECB will be monitoring his recovery closely, especially given the disappointing results from the recent ODI and T20 World Cups, where England’s performance fell short of expectations.
As the Originals continue to navigate the challenges of the tournament, the cricketing world will be watching closely to see if Buttler can return in time for the critical series against Australia and reaffirm his position as one of England’s leading players in white-ball cricket.
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