- Buttler will not rush his rehabilitation – and may not play for England until September. Ex-Ctain expects South Africa’s January ODIs to “come a little early” after surgery. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are all smiling after dismissing Pat Cummins. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India v Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023. He has since revealed a minimum 12-week rehabilitation period and expects England’s three ODIs in South Africa in January to come “a bit early,” so he is instead targeting a return to playing at some point in the SA20.
- He will next play his 12th consecutive IPL season, with his franchise Gujarat Titans almost certain to confirm his stay before the November 15 deadline.
- Therefore, there is a significant chance that Buttler will not play an international match before England face New Zealand in three T20Is and five ODIs next September, a month before the start of the 50-over World Cup in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Buttler will not rush his rehabilitation – and may not play for England until September. Ex-Ctain expects South Africa’s January ODIs to “come a little early” after surgery. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are all smiling after dismissing Pat Cummins. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India v Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023. He has since revealed a minimum 12-week rehabilitation period and expects England’s three ODIs in South Africa in January to come “a bit early,” so he is instead targeting a return to playing at some point in the SA20.
He will next play his 12th consecutive IPL season, with his franchise Gujarat Titans almost certain to confirm his stay before the November 15 deadline. Therefore, there is a significant chance that Buttler will not play an international match before England face New Zealand in three T20Is and five ODIs next September, a month before the start of the 50-over World Cup in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Buttler remains a key part of England’s World Cup plans, keeping wicket and batting in the middle order and is under a central contract with the ECB.
has learned that the ECB would consider selecting him for some England Lions games – possibly against Australia A next summer – so he can train between his 50 franchise commitments. He is doubtful for England’s ODIs in South Africa (January 10-15) but hopes to make a comeback for the Durban Super Giants during SA20 (January 17-February 21). “[There are a few England games in South Africa in] January; they might be a little early but SA20 is probably a target that comes to mind,” Buttler said.
“[Rehabilitation] is never easy or linear, right? You’ll probably have a couple of really good weeks, maybe a week where it pushes you back,” he added. “But I definitely don’t want to rush things.
There’s so much cricket next year and of course – hopefully – a few more years of my career. If I need another week or two to get it right, I’ll take that time. “I try to see all the positives in it,” he said.
“I spent a lot of time at home, which as cricketers we don’t always have. “Obviously it’s a forced injury with an injury you don’t want, but it will be really nice to [not only] have a good time at home and get the hamstrings going again, but also have a three or four month period to mentally refresh and get really fit as well.” “I’ll come back stronger than I was back then, that’s the plan.” England struggled with the absence of Buttler during the three-match series in Pakistan.
They lost all three games in their group stage – two of them in positions that seemed impregnable – and are no longer in contention for Saturday’s final. They will play a draw against Sri Lanka on Thursday before traveling to Australia for three ODIs and five T20Is next month. Jos Buttler had to retire injured with a hamstring strain, England v Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI, Headingley, 24 September 2026
