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England are set to host Australia in three T20Is and five ODIs before the end of the 2024 English summer. Ahead of the white-ball series versus arch-rivals Australia, England skipper Jos Buttler remains a doubtful starter with a calf injury. Buttler suffered the injury while preparing for The Hundred, which ended in the United Kingdom last month. The white-ball captain, thus, got ruled out of the entire tournament -- where he was set to represent the Manchester Originals -- and is still on recovery process.

Lancashire Lightning coach Dale Benkenstein informed, while talking to the BBC, that Buttler reaggravated his calf injury during rehabilitation, ruling him out of the side's upcoming T20 Blast quarterfinal clash versus Sussex Sharks, on Sep 4. The latest setback has dented the wicketkeeper-batter's recovery ahead of the Australia series.

Benkenstein said, "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."

There is still time for the Australia home series. Hence, England team management is not fretting over Buttler's return but would hope for him to regain full fitness sooner than later, with the 2025 Champions Trophy in mind. The Australia series commences with the three T20Is, with the series opener on Sep 12. In case Buttler remains out of the series, Phil Salt and Sam Curran are reportedly the main contenders to lead England.

Buttler was last seen in action at the highest level during the 2024 T20 World Cup, held in West Indies and USA. Buttler-led England reached the semifinals, where they were thrashed by eventual winners India.