In his final match as England’s white-ball captain, Jos Buttler scored 21 runs off 43 balls against South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. England, already eliminated from the tournament after a defeat to Afghanistan, struggled with the bat, eventually being bowled out for 179 in 38.2 overs. Buttler’s decision to step down as captain was announced before the match, marking the end of his tenure following England’s early exit from the competition.

South Africa, needing a win to secure a semi-final spot, capitalized on England’s batting woes. Wian Mulder and Marco Jansen were among the key performers for the Proteas, helping to restrict England’s innings. Despite Buttler’s efforts, England’s batting lineup failed to mount a significant challenge, leading to a disappointing conclusion to their Champions Trophy campaign.

Buttler’s resignation as captain comes as England reflects on their recent struggles in major tournaments. His leadership tenure included a T20 World Cup win in 2022, but subsequent performances have been underwhelming. England now looks to regroup and reassess their white-ball strategy ahead of future competitions.