Jos Buttler to Miss ODI Series Against West Indies, Liam Livingstone to Lead England
England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies due to a setback in his recovery from a calf injury. Lancashire all-rounder Liam Livingstone has been named as the stand-in captain for the series, which is scheduled to begin on October 31 in Antigua.
Buttler, who was already sidelined for England’s recent T20 and ODI series against Australia in September, has experienced "a slight setback in his rehabilitation," according to an official statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman will now join the squad in Barbados ahead of the five-match T20 series, which starts on November 9.
The upcoming ODI series will mark the first time that Livingstone captains the England side. The hard-hitting all-rounder, who has become a vital component of England’s white-ball setup, will look to lead the team in what is expected to be a fiercely contested series.
England’s white-ball squad for the West Indies tour features a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents. Key names include Jofra Archer, making his highly anticipated return to international cricket, as well as all-rounders Sam Curran and Will Jacks, leg-spinner Adil Rashid, and pace spearheads Reece Topley and Saqib Mahmood.
Livingstone will look to guide the squad to success in what will be a valuable opportunity for England to build momentum ahead of the T20 series and continue preparations for upcoming tournaments.
The ODI series kicks off in Antigua on October 31, followed by the five-match T20 series starting November 9 in Barbados.