Buttler to miss IPL finale to be available for England series

JOS Buttler has confirmed he will be leaving the Indian Premier League before the play-offs, ensuring he is available for his first England series since standing down as captain.

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Buttler (pictured) has been a key player for Gujarat Titans, who sit top of the IPL table as the tournament prepares to resume this weekend after a hiatus caused by the military escalation between India and Pakistan.

The revised schedule places the knockout stages in a direct clash with England’s one-day international series against the West Indies, with both concluding on June 3.

England made it clear they expect-ed their IPL players to be available for duty as they look to kick off Harry Brook's reign with the strongest pos-sible squad, but there was an outside chance that Buttler would seek to negotiate an extended stay.

The other two players impacted by the clash had clear reasons to return - Mumbai Indians all-rounder Will Jacks having been handed a recall after being in and out of the England set-up in recent times and Jacob Bethell having played a peripheral role at Royal Challengers Bangalore.