Jos Buttler speaking after England’s defeat. (Image: Sky Sports.)
Former captain Michael Atherton declared Jos Buttler’s reign as skipper “done” after their Champions Trophy exit.
A disappointing eight-run defeat to Afghanistan dashed any hopes of reaching the semi-final, leaving Buttler’s captaincy in tatters, despite a valiant effort from in Lahore.
The ODI was only settled in the final over and ranked outsiders Afghanistan were worthy winners on the day, with Buttler later admitting that the team he inherited from Eoin Morgan likely would have got over the line.
The white-ball captain, 34, and even though Root made 120 from 111 balls, Azmatullah Omarzai’s five-wicket haul likely dropped the curtain on the latest era of English cricket.
“I think his time is done as captain,” Atherton said on . “I think that’s probably right. England do judge themselves on these ICC events, they’ve made that very clear, that because they come along so frequently now, they build towards these tournaments.
“Sometimes you just have to say it’s not working and, therefore, it’s time for a change and time for somebody else, and I think deep down, he probably knows that.”
Nasser Hussain speaking with Jos Buttler in Lahore. (Image: Sky Sports.)
Legendary cricketer and Sky commentator Nasser Hussain could only concur with Atherton, adding: “I’ve never looked at Buttler and thought ‘wow what a leader,’ he doesn’t have that presence in the field that an Eoin Morgan had… That’s a bad comparison because you’re talking about England’s greatest-ever white-ball captain, and he was a hard act to follow.
“As far as captaincy goes, I don’t think Buttler has added that much to this England team, but it’s taken away from his batting. And when you add the two together, take away from a great player and you’re not gaining with leadership and captaincy, I think it’s probably time to move on.”
However, Michael Vaughan is at odds with his two fellow icons of English cricket. Though he admits that Buttler will lose his title, he has been made out to be a “scapegoat” and the buck won’t stop with the wicket-keeper.
Vaughan wrote for : “This is part of a wider pattern. I expect there will be change again after this. Given he has been part of three failed ICC tournaments in a row, Jos Buttler will not survive as captain.
“The 50-over World Cup was a complete shemozzle for many reasons, then the T20 in the Caribbean was limp, and cost Matthew Mott his job. This time, with another defeat by Afghanistan, Buttler will be the scapegoat.
“But let’s not kid ourselves that it will suddenly change everything, because England’s problems run much deeper.”