After Eoin Morgan announced his retirement from international cricket a couple of days ago, Jos Buttler was touted to take over the reins. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) put a stamp on those reports on Thursday as the board confirmed Jos Buttler’s appointment as England’s new white-ball captain.
“Lancashire's Jos Buttler has been appointed captain of the England Men's white-ball teams by the England & Wales Cricket Board,” read the official statement from ECB.
“He succeeds Eoin Morgan, who retired from international cricket earlier this week. The ECB Interim Chair, Martin Darlow, and Interim Chief Executive Officer, Clare Connor, approved the appointment on Wednesday evening following the recommendation by the Managing Director of England Men's Cricket, Rob Key,” it added.
Buttler also reacted after being handed the captaincy baton. He thanked Eoin Morgan for his services as the captain of the England cricket team and also called him an inspirational leader. Buttler then said that he can't wait to take the team forward.
"I would like to offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to Eoin Morgan for his outstanding leadership over the past seven years. It has been the most memorable period for everyone involved. He has been an inspirational leader, and it has been fantastic to play under him. There are lots of things that I have learnt from him that I'll take into this role.
"It is a great honour to take over from Eoin, and the place he has left English white-ball cricket in is exciting, and I'm inspired for the challenges ahead.
"There is excellent strength-in-depth in the white-ball squads, and I'm looking forward to leading the teams out for the series that are coming up against India starting next week and later in July against South Africa.
"It is the greatest honour to captain your country, and when I have had the chance to step in the past, I have loved doing it. I can't wait to take this team forward."
Notably, Buttler has been part of England's white-ball teams for over a decade. He played his first T2OI game in 2011 and made his ODI debut a year later. The wicketkeeper/ batsman has been an integral part of the set-up, having been the vice-captain since 2015 and has led the team 14 times previously (Nine ODIs & five T20Is).
