Jos Buttler has stepped down as England’s white-ball captain following their early exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy. He will lead the team one final time against South Africa in Karachi before passing the baton, with vice-captain Harry Brook the frontrunner to replace him.

England’s campaign ended after losses to Australia and Afghanistan, continuing a poor run of form that saw them win just one of their last ten white-ball matches. Buttler, who led England to T20 World Cup glory in 2022, admitted it was time for a change.

"It’s the right call for me and the team," he said. "Captaining England has been an incredible honour, but I’ve reached the end of the road."

Despite stepping down, Buttler will continue playing for England, hoping to rediscover his form and enjoyment for the game. England will now look for fresh leadership as they aim to rebuild.

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International games

• Afghanistan vs Australia

  AFG 273 (50)

  AUS 109/1 (12.5)

  No result - due to rain

Vidarbha Takes Control as Kerala Crumbles Late on Day 3 of Ranji Trophy Final

Stumps Kerala 342 (Baby 98, Sarwate 79, Nalkande 3-52, Rekhade 3-65, Dubey 3-88) trail Vidarbha 379 (Malewar 153, Nair 86, Nidheesh 3-61, Apple Tom 3-102) by 37 runs

After fighting hard all day, the Ranji Trophy final took a decisive turn as Kerala crumbled in the final session. Sachin Baby, who anchored the innings with a gritty 98 off 234 balls, fell trying to clear mid-on, triggering a collapse. Kerala, just 56 runs away from a crucial first-innings lead, lost their last three wickets quickly, handing Vidarbha a 37-run advantage.

Left-arm spinners Harsh Dubey and Parth Rekhade led the charge, sharing six wickets. Dubey’s 3 for 88 made him the highest wicket-taker in a single Ranji season with 69 wickets.

Jalaj Saxena (28 off 76) was Kerala’s last hope, but a misjudged paddle sweep off Rekhade ended their fight. His wicket came right after a lengthy break due to Yash Rathod’s cramps, possibly breaking his concentration.

With two days left, Vidarbha holds the edge, but Kerala will be desperate for a comeback.

Domestic cricket + T20 leagues

• Vidarbha vs Kerala

  VID 379

  KER 342 (125)  CRR: 2.74

  Day 3: Stumps - Kerala trail by 37 runs

CHAMPIONS TROPHY MATCH PREVIEW 

South Africa vs England

South Africa faces England in Karachi in what could either be a dead rubber or a high-stakes battle, depending on Australia’s result against Afghanistan. If Australia wins, both the Proteas and the Aussies will secure semifinal spots, making this match inconsequential. However, an Afghan victory would keep the door slightly open for England, who would need a massive win to overturn the net run rate deficit. South Africa has been in strong form, with Ryan Rickelton’s century and Kagiso Rabada’s three-wicket haul powering them past Afghanistan. However, their much-anticipated test against Australia was washed out, leaving questions about their ability to step up against top-tier opposition. England, meanwhile, is already eliminated after disappointing losses to Australia and Afghanistan, and Jos Buttler has confirmed this will be his final game as white-ball captain. While the Proteas will aim to maintain momentum, England will be playing for pride, making this an intriguing contest regardless of its impact on the tournament standings.

Picture of the week

On This Day

2023

New Zealand pulled off a historic victory in Wellington, becoming only the fourth team ever to win a Test after following on—and only the second to do so by a one-run margin. In a nerve-wracking finish, Neil Wagner, who had relentlessly attacked England’s batters with short balls, delivered the decisive blow by dismissing James Anderson down the leg side, eerily similar to Michael Kasprowicz’s famous dismissal in the 2005 Edgbaston Ashes thriller. England had dominated early, with centuries from Harry Brook and Joe Root propelling them to 435/8 before their bowlers secured a hefty 226-run lead. But New Zealand refused to back down. Kane Williamson anchored the fightback with a gritty 132, surpassing Ross Taylor to become the country's leading Test run-scorer. On the final day, England looked poised for a comfortable series win until Wagner broke the crucial partnership between Root and Ben Stokes, sparking a stunning collapse that saw New Zealand edge home by the slimmest possible margin.

Coming tomorrow

• South Africa vs England

• India Masters vs South Africa Masters

• India Masters vs South Africa Masters

What else is happening

• Bella James ruled out of Sri Lanka ODIs; Down named replacement

• Australia vs Afghanistan Highlights, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Australia qualify for semis after AFG game abandoned