Jos Buttler believes England’s disappointing Cricket World Cup campaign ‘is not the defining moment in his career’ ahead of their ODI series against the West Indies

• Jos Buttler is determined to restore England’s dominance in the white ball game  
• He added England’s disappointing Cricket World Cup ‘will not define his career’
• His side play West Indies on Sunday in the first game of a five-match ODI series

Jos Buttler borrowed a phrase from his fellow England captain Ben Stokes yesterday as he revealed his determination to return his side to the higher echelons of limited-overs cricket.

Buttler, 33, recalled the on-field advice given to Jofra Archer shortly before England won their maiden 50-over crown with last-gasp victory over New Zealand at Lord’s in 2019 and applied it to both the disastrous defence of that title and his own chronic loss of form in India.

‘I think of Ben Stokes’ words to Jofra about the Super Over, you know – whatever happens here doesn’t define you,’ Buttler, speaking publicly for the first time since leaving the tournament three weeks ago, said.

‘I certainly don’t feel like that World Cup is the defining moment for me. It’s a huge disappointment, but it doesn’t define me as a person or my whole career. So, just use it as something to make sure I look forward now and enjoy the challenges ahead.’ 

Ironically, Buttler wouldn’t have been on this tour of the Caribbean had England met pre-World Cup predictions of a final-four placing, but after only scrambling to secure 2025 Champions Trophy qualification via late wins over the Netherlands and Pakistan, he pinpointed his motivation ahead of the three-match ODI series starting on Sunday, saying: ‘To get England’s white-ball cricket back to the great place it’s been in for a long time. 

Jos Buttler has taken stock of advice once given to him by Ben Stokes claiming England’s disappointing Cricket World Cup campaign ‘will not define his career’ 

The England white ball captain (R) is determined to restore his side to their former dominance in the shorter over format ahead of their ODI series against the West Indies 

Despite crashing out of the World Cup early, Buttler said he was buoyed by the talent England have coming through the ranks 

‘We’ve had one bad tournament. You see the depth of talent of guys coming through and you want to help shape that period. That’s something I feel responsibility and motivation for and individually I am always incredibly motivated to perform the best I can and reach my potential. 

‘Any time that you get challenged or get pushed back, it certainly lights a few fires inside.’

Insisting he still enjoyed the leadership role he inherited from Eoin Morgan in 2020, he said of decisions like fielding first against South Africa in 38 degree heat: ‘I think it’s this easy to be Captain Hindsight, isn’t it? 

‘Say you got XYZ wrong, when at the end of the day if you don’t play well enough to try and implement your plan, decisions can become a little bit irrelevant.

‘I’m certainly not going to be someone who always at the end of the game says: I should have done something different. You’ve got to trust yourself. That’s what you play the game for, you’re out there to make a call.’

However, one call he won’t be making is changing his role within the batting unit, amid suggestions following a sequence of 75 runs from his final seven World Cup innings that he might be better served at the top. 

Will Jacks and Phil Salt, neither of whom hold a central contract, will open here.

‘I have played nearly 180 ODIs and I have had great success in the middle order. It’s been my super-strength in this format of the game and I want to nail down on that even more,’ Buttler confirmed.

He also remained adamant that his place in England’s middle order would not change

It comes as several key West Indies players will not be available for the five-match series, including Darren Bravo (pictured) who was overlooked from selection

Meanwhile, Nicholas Pooran, who has starred with the bat for his national side previously, is pursuing a franchise venture elsewhere 

In West Indies, England face opponents nursing bigger bruises, having this year failed for the first time to qualify for a World Cup. 

There is also disquiet within the home camp regarding selection: first, Darren Bravo, who enjoyed a prolific domestic 50-over competition recently, was overlooked and then Shane Dowrich reported for duty three years after his last international appearance but mysteriously announced his retirement hours later. He has not been replaced in the squad.

Nicholas Pooran, the Windies’ premier batter in this format, and Jason Holder, the former captain, are pursuing franchise ventures elsewhere, and the hosts view this series as the start of building a side for the 2027 World Cup.

Yet West Indies should not be underestimated. They have a habit of making life very uncomfortable for England out here, losing just one Test series since 1968, and claiming a 3-2 Twenty20 success last year a matter of months before Buttler’s men became double world champions.

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