England skipper Jos Buttler will command a fresh-faced ODI squad in the West Indies, less than a month after a poor campaign in India at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
England almost missed out on a spot in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy after finishing seventh in the Cricket World Cup last month. Buttler is eager to put the ‘one poor tournament’ behind him as the white-ball squad prepares to travel to the Caribbean.
“We have had one bad tournament,” Buttler admitted ahead of the opening ODI in Antigua.
“It’s been in a good place for a long time, and when you see the depth of talent coming through, you want to be a part of shaping that period of white-ball cricket.” That is something for which I feel responsibility and motivation: to restore England’s white-ball cricket to where it has been for a long time.”
Buttler also stated that it was a learning experience for him to focus on both his individual and the team’s performances while leading the side.
“That’s a big learning for me; managing my own game is critical to the team, and I’m just trying different ways to do that so I can walk to the middle with a clear mind.”
“[And] understanding that that type of tournament does not define you.” I have to use it as inspiration and hunger to push myself and the team forward and learn from it. Use it as a learning experience for the remainder of my career.”
England’s captain went on to say that at this time in his career, with a young family surrounding him, he has a better perspective and maturity in coping with setbacks on the pitch.
“I’m at a point in my life and career where I have good perspective.” When I return home, I have two children who are uninterested in the World Cup. It certainly gives you a good focus as a father and those kinds of things, but I’m also a pretty proud guy who has frustrations.
“But, you know, life moves on, and the world moves pretty quickly.” There is always something to anticipate. It’s never as horrible as you think it is, or as good as you think it is.”
Buttler will captain a group that features only six players from the World Cup touring party in the three One-Day Internationals in the Caribbean.
“There’s some really exciting talent in this team,” Butter said in a statement.
“Young men eager to seize opportunities and perform.” There are some players who have not had much exposure to ODI cricket but have a lot of Test cricket experience, therefore they are not necessarily new to the international game. It’s a good mix.”
Buttler announced two of those newcomers, Phil Salt and Will Jacks, as openers for the opening ODI, but no information on the bowling attack were provided.
The first One-Day International (ODI) takes place on Sunday in North Sound, Antigua.