England captain Jos Buttler is all set to miss the third T20I of the four-match series against Pakistan. The match between the teams, which will also be a virtual decider, will be played on Tuesday (28th May) in Cardiff.
Jos Buttler left the team after England’s win over Pakistan in the second T20I at Birmingham and went home. The England skipper and his wife Louise are expecting a baby and hence the keeper-batter will be missing the second game as he wants to be with his family.
Jos Buttler played a crucial innings for England in the second T20I. He batted and led the team incredibly. After a roller coaster ride in IPL, the keeper-batter made sure that he made an immediate impact in international cricket and helped his team win the game and go 1-0 up in the series against Pakistan.
Jos Buttler, who opened the innings in the second game, played a magnificent hand and helped his team post a big total on the board. The keeper-batter notched up a staggering half-century and ended with an inning of 84 runs off 51 balls and batted with a strike rate of over 144, slamming 8 fours and 3 sixes.
Jos Buttler missing the third game for England will be a massive blow for the team. Not only they will miss a player of his quality, but they also will miss his services as the leader of the team. In his absence, Mooen Ali will captain the team as he is the vice-captain of the team.
Talking about taking the captaincy role, he stated: “Obviously if it happens, then it’s a great honour – as it always is. I’ll be fine. Nothing will change too much: it’s just taking over from what he’s doing and then when he comes back, he takes over.
“Hopefully, the baby comes at the right time so he doesn’t miss too many games. For me, it’s just whatever will happen, will happen. [Deputising] is not difficult, to be honest with you, because we speak often, me and Jos. We talk about other things, the team, and all that. We’re on the same page anyway.”
Ben Duckett likely to replace Jos Buttler in the XI
As per the reports in ESPNCricinfo, it is learned that Ben Duckett will be replacing Jos Buttler in the XI. He is expected to bat at No.3. He recently admitted that he is new to batting at that time. While talking about the challenges of the same, he elaborated:
“It’s no lie that I’m new to batting at No. 3. The biggest thing I’ve found is just the uncertainty of not knowing when I’m going in: obviously if I’m opening, it’s 0 for 0 every time, bowling first or second. I know exactly what’s going to happen: I’m facing the swinging ball or, if it’s a spinner opening, I know what the field is going to be.”
The reports also claimed that England might also hand a debut to Tom Hartley. They want to give him a debut before the T20 World Cup 2024.
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