Harry Brook Issues Defiant Support for Jos Buttler Ahead of Semi-Final
England captain Harry Brook has categorically ruled out dropping senior batter Jos Buttler for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final. Despite a string of five consecutive single-digit scores, Brook insisted that the former captain remains a lock for the starting XI when the team travels to Mumbai.
Speculation regarding Buttler’s place in the side intensified following England’s Super 8 clash against New Zealand in Colombo, where Buttler fell for a duck, caught behind off Lockie Ferguson. However, speaking at the post-match presentation, Brook cited Buttler’s extensive experience and historical production as primary reasons for maintaining the status quo.
Analyzing Buttler’s 2026 World Cup Slump
The statistical case against Buttler centers on a severe dip in form during the tournament’s critical phases. After respectable starts against Nepal and the West Indies, the right-hander has accumulated only 15 runs in his last five innings. His total aggregate for the tournament stands at 62 runs across seven innings.
The following table details Buttler’s performance decline during the 2026 campaign:
| Opponent | Runs Scored | Dismissal Type |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 26 | Caught |
| West Indies | 21 | Bowled |
| Scotland | 3 | Caught |
| Italy | 3 | LBW |
| Sri Lanka | 7 | Caught |
| Pakistan | 2 | Run Out |
| New Zealand | 0 | Caught Behind |
The slump extends beyond just this tournament. Buttler has registered only one half-century in his last 24 innings across international cricket and the SA20 league. His last major milestone in an ICC event occurred during the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he scored an unbeaten 83 against the USA.
Brook: “Best White-Ball Player to Ever Play”
Despite the numbers, Brook delivered a passionate defense of his predecessor. The current skipper urged fans and analysts to look at the broader picture of Buttler’s 150-match T20I career.
“There’s been a lot said about Jos. I said the other day that he’s played 150 games for England in T20Is, and people probably need to take a little step back from that,” Brook stated. “He’s probably the best white-ball player to have ever played the game. He’s in a little bit of a rut now, but I think that’s an exciting thing for everybody in the world to know what he could produce in the next couple of games.”
Selection for Mumbai Semi-Final
England has Ben Duckett available in the squad as a potential top-order replacement. Duckett, known for his proficiency against spin, could be a tactical option on Mumbai’s surface. However, Brook’s comments confirm that the team management will not utilize this option for the knockout stage.
Brook highlighted Buttler’s career metrics—averaging 34 with a strike rate of 145—as evidence of his enduring value. “He’s obviously got a lot of fire in the belly, and he wants to go out there and show everybody what he’s made of,” Brook added.
England will face either India or the West Indies in the semi-final next week. For schedule updates and official team announcements, visit the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) or the tournament host board, the BCCI.