Injured English limited-overs cricket captain Jos Buttler is doubtful for the upcoming home T20I series against Australia. 

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the complete squads for the forthcoming three-match T20I series and five-match ODI series against Australia at home. According to the ECB statement, Jos Buttler will be fit to lead the national team for the upcoming home T20I series. However, he is not expected for the wicketkeeper role in the coming T20I series. 

However, there is a concern about Buttler’s fitness at present. The 33-year-old, who will celebrate his 34th birthday on September 8, hasn’t played any cricket since England’s semi-final defeat against India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 last June. 

In July, when Buttler was preparing for the Hundred, he sustained a calf injury. Initially, it was expected that he would return to the game this week when his Lancashire would face Sussex in the T20 Blast 2024 quarter-finals on Wednesday (September 4). 

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I think he's even struggling to make the international ones: Lancashire coach on Jos Buttler's latest fitness status

However, Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein recently confirmed Buttler’s absence for the upcoming T20 Blast quarter-final. He also hinted at Buttler’s late recovery, which could force him to delay his international return.  

Benkenstein said to BBC Radio Lancashire, "We've had some bad news on his recovery. He had an injury he was recovering from, and he's sort of tweaked it again. He's not only just out of our T20s, but I think he's even struggling to make the international ones. He was very keen to play for us."

Currently, England hasn’t any official vice-captain for limited-overs cricket. However, Sam Curran and Phil Salt are the favourites to take over the limited-overs leadership in the absence of the skipper Buttler. 

England will play eight white-ball matches against the touring side Australia

England will play a three-match home T20I series against Australia, starting on September 11. Then, they will compete in the five-match home ODI series against the latest ODI World Cup winners, starting on September 19. 

After the home white-ball series against Australia, England will travel to Pakistan for a crucial three-match Test series before their West Indies tour for the limited-overs series.