What should England do about Jos Buttler?
England’s leading white-ball batter has endured a torrid T20 World Cup. Buttler has managed just 62 runs across the tournament at an average of 8.85, a top score of 26, and has faced 58 balls at a strike-rate of 106.89. His early 26 and 21 against Nepal and the West Indies make up most of that total; since then his best has been a 14-ball seven against Sri Lanka, with scores of 3, 3, 2 and, most recently, a two-ball duck.
The duck to New Zealand — advancing down the wicket to Lockie Ferguson and getting a tame edge — was uncomfortable to watch and felt less like a masterplan being outfoxed and more like a player struggling for timing and confidence. That slump leaves England with a selection headache.
Is dropping him a realistic option?
Dropping Buttler seems unlikely. The most obvious in-squad replacement is Ben Duckett, but Duckett’s recent form is patchy: his only notable innings since last summer was an ODI 62 against Sri Lanka on 22 January, he recorded a golden duck in the final T20 of a bilateral series on 3 February, and he had a difficult Ashes campaign. It’s arguable Duckett might not be worse, yet England appear hesitant to write off a player who has been central to their white-ball success for more than a decade.
Captain Harry Brook has publicly backed Buttler, pointing to his career T20I record — roughly 150 matches at an average close to 34 and a strike-rate near 177 — and calling him one of the best white-ball players in the game, currently in a rut but capable of game-changing performances.
What about changing his role?
If omission is unlikely, altering Buttler’s role is another option. England could move him down the order to protect his rhythm and give an aggressive opener like Phil Salt more time at the top. Candidates to slot in higher include Sam Curran, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton or even Rehan Ahmed, with Buttler arriving later to finish. Buttler’s record at No.3 is respectable — an average of 36.61 across 16 T20Is — but Brook appears to have strong claims on that spot after his recent 50-ball century against Pakistan.
Buttler has batted outside the top three only twice in T20 internationals since 2018 and not at all since 2023, and England’s depth in the middle order has been a tournament strength. Moving him would be a significant tactical shift and could unsettle the balance the side has relied on.
Voices in his favor
Former team-mate Moeen Ali urged Buttler to stick with his process, saying he has the ability and must believe his form will return. Moeen suggested Buttler tried to be proactive against New Zealand — stepping out to get off the mark and be busy — but was undone by an unexpected bounce.
The immediate stakes
England look likely to retain Buttler as an opener for the semi-final — most likely against India or the West Indies in Mumbai on March 5 — and into the final if they go through. The knockout phase is when a player of Buttler’s calibre can still turn a tournament around.
England’s choices are clear but uncomfortable: back a proven match-winner weathering a rare slump, alter his position to protect his timing and give others time at the top, or hand someone else a go with the tournament on the line. For now, captain and selectors have stuck with Buttler and will be hoping he rediscovers the form that has defined his white-ball career.