'It's a great honour to take over from Eoin Morgan' - Jos Buttler ahead of taking England's white-ball captaincy

English batter Jos Buttler will succeed Eoin Morgan as England’s captain in limited-overs cricket as the latter announced his retirement. Buttler said that it is a “great honour” to take over from Morgan, adding that the place the former England captain has left English white-ball cricket in is “exciting”.

Buttler said that he is “inspired” to take on the challenges ahead and cannot wait to take the team forward. Morgan announced his retirement on June 28 after England tour of the Netherlands, and Buttler was chosen as the captain by managing director of England’s men’s cricket Rob Key. 

“It is a great honour to take over from Eoin and the place he has left English white-ball cricket in is exciting, and I’m inspired for the challenges ahead,” said Buttler in a statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

He was the obvious choice to take over from Morgan: Ben Stokes

This was the fourth major appointment in the last two months Under Key’s management, after Matthew Mott became the limited-overs coach and the appointment of Stokes and McCullum in the longest format as captain and coach respectively. “It is the greatest honour to captain your country. I can’t wait to take this team forward,” said Buttler.

Stokes, who generally plays in all three formats, is currently taking some time off white-ball cricket to focus on his duties in the longest format. But he is expected to play under Buttler soon. “He (Buttler) was the obvious choice to take over from Morgs and I am really looking forward to playing a few games under him,” said Stokes.

Buttler is also in a great run of form with the bat as he was the joint top-scorer in the three-match ODI series in the Netherlands, scoring 248 runs in two innings at a staggering strike rate of 185.07. He was also the top-scorer in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), scoring a staggering 863 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 149.05 and an average of 57.53.