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Jos Buttler, the captain of the England cricket team, is contemplating his future in the role following a string of disappointing performances, culminating in their exit from the Champions Trophy. The defeat against Afghanistan, adding to a loss against Australia, has prompted serious reflection from Buttler, who acknowledges the need to consider all possibilities regarding his captaincy. This moment of introspection comes after England's lackluster performance in recent ICC tournaments, including the 2023 ODI World Cup where they lost six out of nine games and the 2024 T20 World Cup where they were soundly defeated by India in the semi-finals. While Buttler led England to victory in the 2022 T20 World Cup, his first ICC tournament as captain, the team has struggled to maintain that level of success. The pressure is mounting, and Buttler admits he must assess whether he is part of the problem or part of the solution. The context of this situation is further amplified by Matthew Mott's departure as England's coach after the previous T20 World Cup, a period where Buttler himself feared for his job. The subsequent tough tour to India, where England managed only one win in eight games, has only added to the challenges and fueled speculation about Buttler's future as captain. His comments after the defeat against Afghanistan suggest a resignation to the possibility that his time in charge may be coming to an end. Despite enjoying the captaincy and the challenges it presents, Buttler recognizes the impact of the team's poor results. He acknowledges that many believe the captaincy doesn't suit him but maintains that he enjoys the role. However, the constant losing weighs heavily, and he is forced to confront the difficult question of his own contribution to the team's struggles. Buttler's future is not entirely in his own hands, as the decision ultimately rests with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and their assessment of the team's leadership. While Buttler intends to take time to consider his own position, he understands that the ECB will have their own perspectives on the matter. He emphasizes his desire to lead a winning team and acknowledges that the current lack of success creates a difficult environment. The potential candidates to replace Buttler as captain include Harry Brook, who captained England in their ODI series against Australia and serves as the vice-captain at the Champions Trophy. Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt have also deputized for Buttler in the past, showcasing the available leadership options within the squad. England's next white-ball fixtures are against West Indies in June, providing a potential timeline for any changes in leadership to be implemented. The defeat against Afghanistan highlighted England's struggles, as they fell short of the 326-run target despite Joe Root's century. Buttler attributed this failure to a lack of confidence within the team, suggesting that a more confident side would have secured the victory. He pointed to the high number of runs conceded in the final 10 overs of Afghanistan's innings as a key factor in the defeat. Buttler also praised Root's exceptional innings but emphasized the need for one of the top-order batsmen to have stayed with him longer. Buttler's own contribution of 38 runs came at a critical time in the run chase, and his dismissal opened the door for Afghanistan to capitalize. He acknowledges his own struggles with form in 50-over cricket, having scored only 352 ODI runs at an average of 22.00 since the start of the 2023 World Cup. The overall sentiment within the England camp is one of disappointment and frustration, but Buttler urges the team to use this experience as motivation to improve and return to the level they aspire to be at. He emphasizes the importance of learning from these setbacks and striving to compete and win in future tournaments. He stated that allowing these events to drive them forward is key for the team's future success.
Source: Buttler on captaincy future: 'You've got to consider all possibilities'