England cricket team captain and Rajasthan Royals opener Jos Buttler is set to miss the third T20I of the 2024 series against Pakistan on Tuesday, as he will be on paternity leave. Buttler and wife Louise are expecting their third child shortly.
Buttler left for London after England’s second T20I at Birmingham and missed the team’s practice session in Cardiff on Monday. In Buttler’s absence, all-rounder Moeen Ali will lead the team in the remaining two matches of the series.
“Hopefully, the baby comes at the right time where he doesn't miss too many games,” Moeen Ali was quoted saying by ESPNCricinfo. “For me, it's just whatever will happen, will happen.
“[Deputising] is not really difficult, to be honest with you, because we speak often, me and Jos. We talk about other things, the team, and all that. We're on the same page anyway.”
England lead the four-match series 1-0 after the first T20I at Leeds was washed out. Buttler starred in England’s 23-run win at Birmingham last week top-scoring with a 51-ball 84. The fourth and final T20I will be played at the Oval on Thursday.
Buttler was part of the Royals’ squad during the initial phase of the recently concluded IPL 2024 before he departed to join the England team for the Pakistan series. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 359 runs, including two hundreds, in the tournament.
The 33-year-old Buttler will lead England’s pursuit of defending the T20 World Cup crown as the marquee event kickstarts in the United States of America and the West Indies next month.
The Englishmen start their campaign against Scotland on June 4 at Bridgetown before meeting arch-rival Australia on June 8 at the same venue. Namibia and Oman are the other teams in Group B.
