Former England captain Jos Buttler is expected to miss England’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia after undergoing surgery for a left hamstring injury sustained during the second ODI against Sri Lanka in September.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup scheduled to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, Buttler’s recovery will be closely watched as England assess their options ahead of the tournament.
Addressing the pair’s World Cup prospects, Key said England continued to factor both players into their plans. “We don’t see it that Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid aren’t going to be a part of that World Cup,” Key said. He added that both players remained keen to represent England, while decisions regarding their futures would be made next year.
The England selectors are scheduled to announce the squads for the Australia tour, which comprises three ODIs and five T20Is from November 13 to December 2. Buttler sustained the hamstring injury while batting against Sri Lanka at Headingley on September 24. Buttler’s participation in the 2027 SA20 season is also reportedly in doubt following the surgery. Despite the injury setback, Buttler remains part of England’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, according to England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Rob Key.
The England batter’s recovery timeline has not been publicly confirmed, leaving his availability for upcoming franchise commitments uncertain as well. He was signed by Durban’s Super Giants ahead of the tournament’s auction.
Buttler will not be available for selection as he begins his recovery from the injury, according to reports. “Successful surgery and on the road to recovery. Feeling more motivated than ever! Buttler wrote. The extent of his recovery period will determine when he can return to competitive cricket. For now, his immediate focus will be rehabilitation following the hamstring operation. Fellow white-ball regular Adil Rashid has also received a one-year contract.
The ECB has awarded Buttler a one-year contract extension, with his deal set to expire before the tournament. The wicketkeeper-batter underwent surgery and shared an update on his recovery through Instagram stories on Monday, posting a photograph from his hospital bed.
Buttler has been an important figure in England’s white-ball setup, having captained the team to the T20 World Cup title in 2022. He also recently became the first player to reach 15,000 runs in T20 cricket, underlining his impact in the format. The 36-year-old sustained the injury during England’s defeat in the second ODI at Headingley on September 24. After a difficult T20 World Cup campaign in India earlier this year, where he managed just 87 runs as England reached the semi-finals, Buttler bounced back strongly, scoring 466 runs across his next nine white-ball internationals. The extensions mean Buttler’s current deal is set to expire before the start of next year’s 50-over World Cup in South Africa.
He initially retired hurt before briefly returning to the crease. Buttler had already been ruled out of England’s upcoming tri-series in Pakistan, with the squad set to depart later this week.
Earlier reporting noted: Jos Buttler has vowed to return to full fitness with greater determination after undergoing surgery on his left hamstring, which he injured while batting during England’s ODI series against Sri Lanka last month. Earlier reporting noted: Buttler’s injury has brought an untimely end to an impressive run of form for England’s former white-ball captain and two-time World Cup winner. He is also likely to miss England’s white-ball tour of Australia in November, with the squad for the series scheduled to be announced on Tuesday morning. Earlier reporting noted: On Monday, Buttler and fellow England white-ball veteran Adil Rashid were handed one-year contract extensions by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
