LONDON, England (Reuters) — England’s white-ball cricket captain, Jos Buttler, will miss the one-day international (ODI) matches in the upcoming West Indies tour due to a recent injury setback, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Monday.
Buttler was initially expected to lead the team in three ODIs, beginning on October 31 in Antigua, following a lengthy recovery from a calf injury. However, a statement from the ECB revealed that he has experienced a “minor setback in his rehabilitation” and will not participate in the ODI matches.
Despite this unfortunate news, Buttler is anticipated to join the squad in Barbados for the five-match T20 series commencing on November 9.
In light of Buttler’s absence, Essex’s uncapped player Michael Pepper has been called up to take his place in the ODI squad. Additionally, Liam Livingstone will take on the captaincy for the ODI series, marking his debut as England’s leader in this format.
Buttler’s recovery has been closely watched after he missed the recent T20 and ODI series against Australia due to his calf injury. England drew the T20 series 1-1 but fell short in the ODI series, losing 3-2 to the reigning world champions.
The 34-year-old Buttler, a key member of England’s victorious 2019 World Cup team, is known for his explosive batting in white-ball cricket. He has not played since the T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies earlier this year, where England was unable to defend their title.
