Jos Buttler Open to Quit Wicketkeeping to Improve His Captaincy

England's white-ball captain Jos Buttler has expressed his willingness to give up wicket-keeping if it does not aid in improving his captaincy. Buttler made this statement in a recent interview.

Due to injury, Jos Buttler missed the three-match T20I series against arch-rivals Australia last week. He led England to victory in the T20 World Cup in 2022. However, he failed to secure the ODI World Cup title in 2023 and the T20 World Cup title in 2024.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the T20I series between England and Australia on Sunday, Buttler said that even if he were fit to play in the T20I series against Australia, he would not have taken up wicket-keeping duties.

“If I had played in this T20 series, I would have kept wickets. I would have fielded at mid-off and seen how it felt. When Brendan McCullum prevented me from wicket-keeping due to injury, I really enjoyed fielding at mid-off. So if not wicket-keeping really helps my captaincy, then I am prepared for that.”

He further added, “I just want to do what is best for the team. And what is best for the team is for me to be the best captain I can be. If that means I have to stay behind the stumps, then I will do that.”

Since the T20 World Cup semi-final against India in June, Jos Buttler has not played for England. He will also miss the five-match ODI series against Australia.