The Hundred 2024: Manchester Originals' Jos Buttler ruled out due to calf injury

In a major blow to the Manchester Originals in the ongoing Hundred Men's Competition 2024, England's white-ball skipper Jos Buttler has been ruled out of this year's tournament due to a calf injury. The news comes as the Originals face a challenging start to their campaign.

The 33-year-old was set to captain the side, but his absence from the team's first three matches, all resulting in defeats, raised concerns about his availability. This will be the second consecutive year that Buttler has missed a substantial part of The Hundred due to calf problems.

The injury couldn't have come at a worse time for the Originals, who are yet to secure a win in this year's competition.

Buttler's leadership and batting abilities were expected to be crucial for the team's success, especially after their near-miss in last year's final against the Oval Invincibles. His withdrawal not only impacts the former runner-ups' on-field performance but also deprives the tournament of one of its marquee players.

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Manchester Originals to face Northern Superchargers next

The timing of the wicketkeeper-batter injury is particularly unfortunate for The Hundred tournament. With the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) planning to sell stakes in the eight teams this autumn, this year's tournament has attracted potential investors. The absence of high-profile players like Buttler could potentially impact the competition's marketability.

Despite this setback, Buttler's position as England's white-ball captain remains secure. He is set to lead the national team in their upcoming series against Australia, featuring three T20s and five one-day internationals from September 11-29.

Also read: Zak Crawley ruled out of The Hundred 2024 with broken finger, Sri Lanka home series participation hangs in balance

This series will see a change in England's coaching setup, with Marcus Trescothick stepping in as interim head coach following Matthew Mott's departure.

Meanwhile, the Manchester-based franchise is set to square off against Northern Superchargers on August 04 at Headingley in Leeds.