Jos Buttler has suggested that the recent decision to relieve Brendon McCullum of his responsibilities as England's Test coach could actually improve the team's prospects in the upcoming Cricket World Cup. With McCullum now free to concentrate solely on the limited‑overs format, Buttler believes the former New Zealand captain is "all in" on delivering a trophy win in the southern‑African summer of 2027.
The change came in July when the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that Stephen Fleming would succeed McCullum as head of the Test side. McCullum, however, retained his role overseeing the white‑ball teams, a position that saw England finish the season with an impressive record of eleven victories and only two defeats across all limited‑overs fixtures. Those successes included series wins against both India and Sri Lanka, a vital boost for a side that has struggled to replicate the dominance it displayed after winning the 2019 World Cup. Buttler, who captained England during the ill‑fated defence of that title in 2023, argued that the split‑coaching arrangement allows McCullum to pour all of his energy and strategic thinking into the 2027 tournament.
"He now has a single focus – the white ball," Buttler explained on his For the Love of Cricket podcast. "He could have continued juggling both formats, but when you split your time between Tests and ODIs, your attention is divided. By handing the Test duties over to Fleming, Brendon can now devote every ounce of his expertise to the one‑day game and the T20 format, with the World Cup looming as the ultimate objective." According to Buttler, McCullum's mindset has shifted from a broad, four‑month‑long remit covering all aspects of England cricket to a razor‑sharp target: "How do we win this World Cup with the players we have?" This singular aim, Buttler said, gives McCullum the freedom to fine‑tune every element of the ODI set‑up – from batting order decisions and bowling rotations to field‑placement strategies and mental‑conditioning programmes. "He can now spend more time analysing opposition data, working on specific skill sets, and building a cohesive unit that knows exactly what it needs to do on the day," Buttler added.
The impact of that concentrated effort is already evident. England's limited‑overs performances this summer have shown marked improvement, with a more aggressive top order, a deeper middle‑order bench, and a versatile pace attack capable of adapting to different conditions. The series victories over India and Sri Lanka were not just statistical wins; they demonstrated England's ability to execute game plans under pressure, a quality that will be essential in the high‑stakes environment of a World Cup.
Buttler also highlighted the broader context of England's ODI fortunes. "For a couple of years, our one‑day results have been inconsistent," he said.
"Now we have a clear direction, and the results are starting to reflect that. The summer has been a solid foundation, but there is still plenty of work to do before the tournament." Unfortunately, Buttler himself is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury that forced him out of the recent tri‑series in Pakistan and may also keep him out of the November tour of Australia. If the injury persists, England could be without its most experienced one‑day player for up to eight ODIs, potentially affecting the team's preparation for the World Cup.
"I've had a scan and I'm waiting to see the specialist. Then we'll know what the next steps are," Buttler said. "The unknown is often the toughest part. Every player wants a clear timetable – 'you'll be back on this date' – but the medical team can't give that certainty yet." Despite his own fitness concerns, Buttler remains optimistic about the overall trajectory of the side.
He believes that the combination of a focused coaching staff, a clear strategic vision, and a squad that is gaining confidence will position England as a genuine contender for the 2027 title. "When you have a coach who can give you undivided attention, and a group of players who are responding positively, the possibilities are exciting," Buttler concluded.
"We have a real target now, and with Brendon all in on the white‑ball game, the path to lifting the World Cup looks clearer than it has in years."