Harmison Questions Jos Buttler After T20 WC Exit

Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison has raised questions about the recent performances of Jos Buttler following England’s elimination from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

England’s campaign ended after a seven-run defeat to India in the semifinal played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The team, led by Harry Brook, fell short in a closely contested match that ended their hopes of reaching the final.

Buttler Struggles With the Bat

Buttler had a difficult tournament with the bat. Across eight matches, the England batter scored only 87 runs, failing to register a half-century.

During the semifinal against India national cricket team, Buttler attempted an aggressive approach but was dismissed by Varun Chakaravarthy.

His overall performance in the tournament was below expectations compared to his earlier contributions to England’s white-ball success.

Harmison Urges Buttler to Reflect

Speaking on TalkSport, Harmison suggested that Buttler may need to evaluate whether he still wants to continue playing international cricket.

The former pacer said Buttler should reflect on his motivation and decide if he wishes to continue competing at the highest level.

According to Harmison, only Buttler can determine whether he still has the drive to prepare for another major international tournament cycle.

Questions Over Enjoyment of the Game

Harmison also indicated that Buttler’s recent performances may reflect a lack of enjoyment while playing for England.

He suggested that if the motivation is fading, Buttler could consider stepping aside and allowing new players to take up the responsibility in the team.

However, Harmison acknowledged Buttler’s contributions to England cricket and said the decision ultimately rests with the player himself.

Buttler’s Record With England

Despite the recent struggles, Buttler remains one of England’s most accomplished white-ball players.

He played a key role in England’s victory in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Buttler has also made 411 appearances for England across formats, making him one of the country’s most experienced international players.

In T20 internationals, he is England’s leading run-scorer with more than 4,000 runs.

Focus Shifts to Future Tournaments

With England now out of the T20 World Cup, attention may shift to upcoming international competitions, including the next ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 scheduled to be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Whether Buttler remains part of England’s long-term plans could depend on his own assessment of his future in international cricket.