With England’s recent struggles in the limited-overs formats, it seems like the right moment to step away from Jos Buttler as the captain of the white-ball team.
There’s no question that Buttler has had a distinguished career, but when you start questioning your own position as captain, as he did after the Champions Trophy elimination, it’s a sign that change is needed.
Who Could Replace Jos Buttler as Captain?
When it comes to potential successors, Harry Brook stands out as my choice for the job.
The question, however, is whether it’s the right decision to burden him with the additional responsibility, especially in what promises to be a pivotal year for England’s cricket team.
Brook has shown leadership skills, particularly in his captaincy during the Hundred and in a match against Australia where he scored a century.
His ability to balance both roles is promising, but this year will be critical for England’s red-ball cricket, with major series like the Ashes ahead.
The decision to appoint him would certainly weigh heavily on the balance between his red-ball and white-ball commitments.
The Risks of Appointing a Young Captain
Appointing Brook does come with risks. The year ahead is crucial for England’s Test cricket, and giving such a young player the added responsibility of leading the white-ball team could be a tough ask.
England has been trying to integrate their Test players into the limited-overs squads, but would making Brook captain further complicate this strategy? There’s a fine line between giving him the chance to lead and overburdening him with too much too soon.
An Alternative Option for Captaincy
If a more temporary solution is needed, Sam Billings could be a viable alternative.
He has ample experience leading in franchise cricket, having won competitions like the Hundred.
Billings could step in as a stop-gap captain, but I would suggest that appointing Brook sooner rather than later is the better choice.
The sooner you get him into the role, the better, as this would help build a long-term vision for the team.
England’s White-Ball Struggles: A Year of Reckoning
Whatever the decision on the captaincy, the bigger picture remains: 2025 is a critical year for England’s cricketing future.
The team has faced a string of disappointing results in recent tournaments, and this is not just a one-off failure.
England has lost four consecutive bilateral series, and while there is no shortage of talent in the squad, something is clearly not clicking.
The time has come to take a hard look at what’s not working.
Jos Buttler’s Leadership: Has It Held England Back?
As much as Jos Buttler is a world-class player, his leadership has never stood out as extraordinary.
While he’s been a fantastic limited-overs cricketer, there have been moments where his captaincy hasn’t seemed to elevate the team.
If the captaincy is making a key player like Buttler perform below his potential, it’s a real problem for England’s future.
The priority should be ensuring that their best players are in the best possible position to perform.
Making Tough Decisions on the Squad
As for the rest of the team, it’s time to be ruthless.
There’s no need to make drastic cuts, but strategic changes should be considered.
The question is whether certain players are truly suited to the 50-over format.
Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone, for example, may need to reconsider their approach to the game.
In the past, Eoin Morgan had the depth in his batting line-up to make such adaptations work, with players like Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett playing key roles in difficult situations.
But today, where is the support for England’s middle order? The team is lacking that crucial role player who can steady the ship when needed.
Is England’s Bowling Attack Ready for the Challenge?
Another area of concern is England’s bowling attack.
In recent matches, while opponents have fielded two frontline spinners, England has been relying on just one.
The team has players like Rehan Ahmed in the squad, but do they truly believe in him? If they do, it’s time to give him more responsibility and confidence.
Moreover, England doesn’t currently have an all-rounder who can contribute in both the batting and bowling departments.
The absence of a true all-rounder is evident, and it raises questions about who will step into the role left by Ben Stokes.
Sam Curran or Liam Dawson could potentially fill that gap, but discussions need to happen soon, especially with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon.
Looking Ahead: England Needs New Direction
Ultimately, England has the potential for a strong team, but what’s missing is a clear direction and a few key pieces in the puzzle.
The squad needs to evolve, and it’s up to the leadership to make bold choices and create a pathway for success in the future.
Whether it’s bringing in new talent, rethinking roles, or reshaping the leadership, this is a crucial moment for English cricket to redefine itself.