Buttler on paternity leave, set to miss third T20 against Pakistan in Cardiff

England captain Jos Buttler has left the squad and is set to miss the third T20 international against Pakistan on Tuesday to be with his wife for the birth of their third child.

If Buttler is absent for the match in Cardiff, vice captain Moeen Ali will take the captaincy. "Obviously if it happens, then it's a great honour — as it always is," Moeen said. "I'll be fine. Nothing will change too much: it's just taking over from what he's doing and then when he comes back, he takes over.

"Hopefully, the baby comes at the right time, so he doesn't miss too many games. For me, it's just whatever will happen, will happen. [Deputising] is not really difficult, to be honest with you, because we speak often, me and Jos. We talk about other things, the team, and all that. We're on the same page anyway," said vice-captain Moeen Ali whilst speaking to reporters.

England leads the four-game series 1-0 after Buttler made 84 in a 23-run win at Edgbaston on Saturday. The fourth T20 is at The Oval on Thursday.

The series is preparation for the T20 World Cup, with England beginning its title defense against Scotland in Barbados on June 4.

Ben Duckett could be brought in to open in Buttler's absence or England could promote Will Jacks from No.3 after he made 37 off 23 balls against Pakistan at Birmingham's Edgbaston ground.

Surrey all-rounder Jacks recently returned from a stint in the T20 Indian Premier League, where he made a dashing unbeaten hundred to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a nine-wicket win over Gujarat Titans.

If he was to move up the order for England on Tuesday, Jacks would be opening the batting alongside Phil Salt, a player he knows well from their time in franchise cricket. "I think we're both very comfortable," Jacks told Sky Sports. "Me and Phil have played a lot of cricket together -- we've played franchise cricket together which definitely helps when we come to England.

The 25-year-old added: "We understand each others' games very well and we're both that kind of free-flowing, top-order batters everyone has nowadays."

This series, which concludes at The Oval in London on Thursday, is serving as a warm-up for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States, with reigning champions England starting their title defence against Scotland in Barbados on June 4.

Archer rest

England fast bowler Jofra Archer could be rested for the Cardiff match ahead of the Oval finale. Archer has been beset by elbow injuries since his starring role in helping England win the 50-over World Cup in 2019.

But the 29-year-old marked his long-awaited return to international cricket by taking two wickets at Edgbaston after a washed-out series opener in Leeds.

Agencies