Overview

• England's white-ball cricket team was eliminated from the Champions Trophy after a seven-wicket loss to South Africa, marking their third consecutive ICC tournament failure.
• Jos Buttler announced his resignation as captain prior to the match, ending a two-and-a-half-year tenure defined by inconsistent performances and a 15-21 ODI record over the past two years.
• Buttler's form as a batter declined during his captaincy, with his ODI average dropping to 27 and his strike rate diminishing significantly since 2023.
• Key challenges during Buttler's leadership included England's focus on T20 cricket, a lack of competitive domestic 50-over tournaments, and frequent rotation policies that disrupted team consistency.
• Harry Brook, England's vice-captain, is widely considered the leading candidate to succeed Buttler, although no official decision has been announced by coach Brendon McCullum or the ECB.