The Buttler did it - here come di vultures

Jos Buttler considering future after England’s sorry Champions Trophy exit

England fly to Karachi on Thursday for their final group game – against South Africa on Saturday – already out of the running for the semi-finals. Their defeat by Afghanistan, following the loss against Australia last Saturday, made it a third consecutive tournament failure under Buttler’s leadership.

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Asked if he will now weigh up the role he inherited from Eoin Morgan in 2022 – one that began with initial silverware at the T20 World Cup that year – Buttler replied: “Yep. Obviously the results aren’t where they need to be. We need to consider all possibilities and get England cricket back to where it needs to be.

“I’ve got to work out personally, am I part of the problem or am I part of the solution?

I’m not going to make any emotional decisions right here, right now. The guys at the top – they’re in charge and they will have their own views as well.”

Regarding the match, in which his side were bowled out for 317 with a ball to spare chasing 326 to win, their heads still spinning from Ibrahim Zadran’s remarkable 177, Buttler said: “We’re obviously gutted. We had our chances. It has been a familiar theme. A more firing and confident team would have got over the line.”

Jos Buttler has announced he will step down as England’s white-ball captain after a Champions Trophy campaign that was ended at the earliest opportunity.

Defeats to Australia and Afghanistan in Lahore saw hopes of reaching the semi-finals ended – England’s third successive group stage exit at a global tournament – and Buttler will step aside after their final match against South Africa on Saturday.