Buttler can still be a force for England says Key

LONDON - Jos Buttler is determined to recover his form with the bat and help England win more World Cups after stepping down as limited-overs captain, director of mens cricket Rob Key said on Thursday.

England are looking for a new leader of the 50-over and T20 white ball teams after a group-stage exit from the ICC Champions Trophy.

Key said he felt for Buttler, a wicketkeeper and arguably Englands greatest white-ball batter, who relinquished the captaincy with a win-loss record of 18-15 in one-day internationals and 26-22 in Twenty20s.

You need Jos Buttler, the batsman. It doesnt matter how great a captain he is, if youre not playing as well as you can do as a batter, thats a massive loss to our team. So I do feel for him, he said.

Ultimately, I think its the right decision from him because Id love to see Jos Buttler batting the way that he can do, Key told reporters at Lords. Thats what wins us games of cricket.

Speaking to Jos, I think hes absolutely committed to getting his form back to being the batter that he is and helping us win more World Cups, added Key.

Buttler, 34, led England to their second Twenty20 World Cup title in 2022, but performances have dipped since with the side failing to retain their T20 or ODI World Cup crowns.

The 50-over 2027 Cricket World Cup will be hosted by South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe and next years T20 World Cup is in India and Sri Lanka.

The 2027 World Cup is in South Africa, its a different style of cricket. Youre back to what were probably more used to when youre out of the subcontinent and youre able to go and play with a style of cricket that suits us more,