It feels unusual to question the place of Jos Buttler in England’s white-ball side.
A two-time World Cup winner and one of England’s greatest limited-overs players, Buttler has been a central figure in the team for over a decade. Yet, at 35, he is enduring one of the toughest patches of his T20 international career.
His score of two against Pakistan marked his fourth consecutive single-figure innings. Despite extra net sessions and focused practice against spin, the slump continues.
With a Super 8 clash against New Zealand national cricket team coming up — and a semi-final on the horizon — should England make a change?
Here are the three realistic options.
Option One: Back Him
This remains the most likely scenario.
Captain Harry Brook publicly backed Buttler, saying a return to form is “just a matter of time.” Brook described him as “arguably our best player,” urging critics to show patience.
The numbers support that faith. Buttler is the fourth-highest run-scorer in T20 international history. As recently as last September, he smashed 83 off 35 balls against South Africa.
However, he has not scored a fifty in 16 international innings this winter — his longest dry spell in T20 cricket. England have seen similar struggles before, including during the 2023 50-over World Cup, when runs were also hard to come by.
Buttler has bounced back before. The question is whether England can afford to wait.
Option Two: Change His Role
Rather than dropping him, England could move Buttler down the order.
He has experience batting at number five or six in T20s, though not consistently in recent years. A shift could ease the pressure of powerplay scoring while allowing him to play a finisher’s role — similar to his 50-over responsibilities.
But this creates a domino effect.
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Tom Banton was recalled for middle-order duties against spin.
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Will Jacks has thrived as a finisher and has been one of England’s standout performers.
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Brook is fresh off a superb century at number three.
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Jacob Bethell has opening experience but is not known for explosive starts.
One simple swap could see Brook open and Buttler bat at three — a role he has succeeded in before, including in the IPL.
Still, Buttler and Phil Salt’s opening partnership has been one of England’s strengths. Breaking that combination would be a significant call.
Option Three: Drop Him
The boldest option is also the least likely.
Leaving out a player of Buttler’s stature for a World Cup semi-final would be extraordinary. He also boasts a strong record at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, a potential semi-final venue.
England’s reserve batter Ben Duckett has also struggled for consistency this winter. A more surprising alternative would be leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, though that would significantly alter team balance.
Friday’s match against New Zealand could offer a low-pressure environment for Buttler to rediscover rhythm before the knockout stages.
Trust the Proven Match-Winner?
Former England spinner Alex Hartley believes writing Buttler off would be premature.
For players of his class, one cleanly struck shot can spark a turnaround. And crucially, England are still winning.
If results remain positive, the management may prefer stability over drastic change.
For now, the most likely outcome is patience — backing one of England’s white-ball greats to rediscover his touch when it matters most.
