Jos Buttler’s tenure as England’s white-ball captain has come to an abrupt end, with the wicketkeeper-batter announcing his decision to step down ahead of England’s Champions Trophy clash against South Africa on March 1. His resignation has sent ripples through the cricketing world, marking the end of a leadership stint that saw extreme highs and painful lows.
Speaking to the media, Jos Buttler admitted that England’s disappointing performances in recent ICC tournaments played a significant role in his decision. “I am going to stand down as England captain. It’s the right decision for me and the right decision for the team. Hopefully, someone else can come in and work closely alongside Brendon McCullum to take the team back to where it needs to be,” he stated.
Reflecting on the timing of his decision, Jos Buttler was candid about the impact of England’s back-to-back defeats in the Champions Trophy. “This was an important tournament—results-wise, for my captaincy. Two losses and being out of the tournament… it just became clear that I had reached the end of the road as captain. It’s something I am sad and ashamed about.”
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Despite his disappointment, Buttler expressed excitement when McCullum was appointed as England’s white-ball coach and had high hopes for a quick turnaround. However, their combined efforts did not yield the results he envisioned.
BREAKING: Jos Buttler has stood down as England white-ball captain, following his side’s Champions Trophy exit 🚨 pic.twitter.com/BQ5yiy4yTa
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 28, 2025
“With Brendon coming in recently, I was really excited to work closely with him and turn things around. But it hasn’t quite worked out. So, it feels like the right time for me and the team to have a change,” he added.
Buttler’s resignation comes after a series of dismal performances in ICC events. The team has struggled since leading England to the T20 World Cup title in 2022. They endured a disastrous 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, finishing as one of the worst-performing sides despite boasting a star-studded squad. The struggles continued in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where India knocked England out in the semi-finals.
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More recently, their struggles were exposed in the white-ball series against India, where they lost the T20I series 1-4 and suffered a 3-0 ODI whitewash. In the ongoing Champions Trophy, England was first outplayed by Australia before suffering a shocking loss to Afghanistan, which ultimately ended their campaign.
With England now eliminated, Buttler’s final match as captain will be against South Africa. As England looks to rebuild, the search for a new leader begins, with the responsibility of reviving their white-ball dominance now falling on fresh shoulders.
