England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler will miss the team’s upcoming one-day international series in Pakistan after suffering a hamstring injury. Buttler sustained the injury during England’s ODI against Sri Lanka at Headingley last week. He was forced to retire hurt but later returned to the crease despite being in discomfort.
The 36-year-old was subsequently ruled out of England’s 223-run victory over Sri Lanka at The Oval on Sunday and is not expected to recover in time for the tri-series involving England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in October. England limited-overs head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed that Buttler will not travel to Pakistan.
“Jos won’t be in Pakistan,” McCullum said. He added that Buttler is a highly professional athlete who will make every effort to return as quickly as possible, although the exact recovery period remains uncertain.
Buttler recently became the first England batter to reach 10,000 international runs in white-ball cricket, combining his performances in ODIs and T20 internationals. England are scheduled to play two matches each against Pakistan and Sri Lanka during the tri-series, with a place in the final also at stake.
Buttler’s absence is expected to provide Jordan Cox with another opportunity to establish himself as England’s wicketkeeper-batter. Cox made an impressive return to England’s ODI side at The Oval, scoring 76 off 52 balls against Sri Lanka.