3 Players Who Can Replace Jos Buttler As England's White-Ball Captain

Jos Buttler’s spot as England’s white-ball captain is under serious threat after an early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. England lost to Australia in their first fixture before getting embarrassed by Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26 (Wednesday).

England have played 43 ODIs under Buttler and lost 25 of those games. In the 20-over format, England have won 26 and lost 22 under Buttler’s leadership. England also failed to qualify for the semis of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India and have lost 13 of the 17 ODIs they’ve played under Buttler’s leadership since then.

It’s highly unlikely that England will continue with Buttler as their white-ball captain. So, here we look at three England players who can replace Buttler as captain.

Harry Brook

Harry Brook hasn’t been in great form in 2025 but is expected to be England's main man in all three formats in the coming years. One of England’s very few all-format players, Brook led England in the five-match series against Australia last year. 

They lost the series 2-3 but Brook showed he has enough skills to captain his country. With the bat, he smashed 312 runs @ 78 and a strike rate of 127.9. 

Ben Duckett

Ben Duckett has been England’s most in-form player in the last few years and has even transformed into an all-format player. Even in the ongoing Champions Trophy, the left-handed opener smoked 165 against Australia and followed it up with a knock of 38 against Afghanistan.

Duckett, who has been England’s vice-captain in the past, has experience of leading a team in County cricket and the Hundred.

Phil Salt

Now, Phil Salt’s form has been a bit dodgy, but the 28-year-old has age on his side. The wicketkeeper-batter captained England in a T20I series against Australia last year and managed to draw the series 1-1. 

If Salt can get his form sorted, the batter could become England’s skipper, at least in one of the two white-ball formats.