Jos Buttler open to give up wicketkeeping for better focus on captaincy

Jos Buttler (Source: Getty Image )

England captain Jos Buttler is open to quitting wicketkeeping after having a chat with new white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum, who will officially take charge in January 2025. Under Buttler’s captaincy, England struggled massively in the ODI World Cup 2023 and also failed to qualify for the finals of the T20 World Cup 2024.

There were doubts if he would continue as captain but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has kept their faith in him. Buttler now hopes to get better in captaincy and to do so, he is willing to spend more time with the bowler, and for that, he is exploring the idea of giving up keeping. The 34-year-old stated that had he played the T20I series against Australia, he would have given up keeping and added that he is trying to do everything that can help him become a better captain.

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“If I was playing in this T20 series, I was going to give up the gloves and commit to being at mid-off and seeing how that felt. Baz stumbled across it with injury preventing him from keeping wicket but then he really enjoyed being at mid-off so that’s something we can talk about. If that’s something that will really help me in my captaincy, then it’s something that I am open to,” Buttler said on Sky Sports during the 3rd T20I match.

What’s best for the team is going to be me being the best captain I can be: Buttler

Jos Buttler is currently out with a calf injury and will also miss the five-match ODI series against Australia. However, when he returns, he expects to be the best version of himself and help England win matches. Previously, he shifted to the middle order in ODIs and is now ready to leave keeping.

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“I am very open to those kinds of things. I just want what’s best for the team and what’s best for the team is going to be me being the best captain I can be. If I have to move from behind the wickets to do that, then so be it,” Buttler added.