Buttler, England’s limited-overs captain, held that record while preparing for the Men’s Hundred in July, which ruled him out of the tournament. He then played against Sussex in Lancashire’s Vitality Blast quarter-final as they look to make a comeback ahead of the white-ball series, which begins at the Utilita Bowl on September 11.
But the injury has worsened and he could now miss the rest of the summer, having not played a single cricket match since the T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to India on June 27. Salt, who replaced Buttler as captain at Manchester Originals, has only captained the side for the Hundred and is expected to take the baton initially, as well as take wickets.
England will be hoping Buttler can provide some form of performance in the ODI series, but the setback comes at a time when the squad is turning to younger players after disappointing performances in the 2023 ODI and 2024 T20 World Cups.
It is also worth noting that this is Buttler’s third calf injury in the past four years. He turns 34 on Sunday and his future as captain and longevity as an international cricketer could depend on giving up wicketkeeping duties to better preserve his body.
