Jos Buttler(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
English skipper Jos Buttler could be unavailable for some part of the four-match T20I series against Pakistan which starts from May 22. Buttler might have to attend to family matters as his wife, Louise Buttler, whom he married in 2017, is anticipating the arrival of their third child as per reports by inews.co.uk.
Representing the Rajasthan Royals in the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League 2024, the wicketkeeper-batter was called back by the England & Wales Cricket Board post him playing 11 matches for his side, to boost the national team before the imminent T20 World Cup, starting just two days after the Pakistan series ends.
The 33-year-old, apart from a couple of imperious centuries against fellow playoff participants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders, had a lukewarm performance with the bat, considering his high standards and class, managing only two 30-plus scores in nine innings.
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Moreover, England’s head coach, Matthew Mott, is absent from the team for family reasons, with assistant coach, Richard Dawson, taking charge of the practice sessions before the first T20I.
The first T20I will be played at Headingley, Leeds, on Wednesday.
In terms of their head-to-head record, England maintains dominance over the visitors, having won 19 out of their 29 T20Is, with one match being abandoned due to inclement weather.
Their most-recent meetings, though, have proved to be much-more even, with England winning three out of the previous five games.
This series carries immense significance for both teams, the winners and runners-up of the previous edition, who would be aiming to optimize their performances and establish their best XIs in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies.
England’s squad for the Pakistan T20I series: Jos Buttler (c), Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Tom Hartley, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, Mark Wood