Jos Buttler Becomes England’s Most Capped Player as T20 World Cup Begins
London, 8 February 2026 – Jos Buttler has officially etched his name into the annals of British sporting history, surpassing James Anderson to become the most capped men’s international cricketer for England. The milestone was reached during the recent tour of Sri Lanka, where Buttler earned his 402nd cap. Despite a mixed 2025, the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman remains a pivotal figure in the national setup as England commences their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in India and Sri Lanka.
Record-Breaking Longevity
Buttler’s achievement of 402 international appearances across all formats marks a significant moment for English cricket. Surpassing the record previously held by fast-bowling legend James Anderson, Buttler has reiterated his desire to prolong his career, dismissing any immediate plans for retirement. While Harry Brook has taken over the captaincy for the current T20 World Cup squad, Buttler remains the side’s most experienced asset and finished 2025 as England’s leading T20 run-scorer.
Reflecting on his journey from Somerset to the global stage, Buttler described the milestone as “surreal,” noting that his contribution to the 2019 World Cup final remains the pinnacle of his career. Despite his white-ball dominance, he admitted to falling short of his own expectations in the Test arena, where he earned 57 caps before his focus shifted primarily to limited-overs formats.
T20 World Cup 2026: Opening Campaign
England opened their T20 World Cup campaign against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. In a match where several top-order batsmen struggled with the conditions, Buttler demonstrated his enduring class by scoring 68 runs off 44 balls. His performance provided the backbone of the English innings, though he was eventually dismissed by Nepal’s Nandan Yadav. The match also saw the return of Phil Salt to the opening partnership after a recent fitness scare involving a back spasm.
Key Career Statistics
Jos Buttler’s career is defined by his aggressive strike rate and versatility as a wicketkeeper-batsman. The following data represents his established international standing as of February 2026.
| Format | Matches | Runs Scored | Batting Average | High Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 57 | 2,907 | 31.94 | 152 |
| ODI | 199 | 5,515 | 39.11 | 162 |
| T20I | 147 | 3,950 | 35.26 | 101* |
| IPL | 121 | 3,582 | 37.31 | 124 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current captain of the England T20 team?
As of the February 2026 T20 World Cup, Harry Brook is serving as the England captain, taking over the leadership role while Jos Buttler focuses on his role as a senior opening batsman and wicketkeeper.
What record did Jos Buttler recently break?
Jos Buttler broke the record for the most international appearances for the England men’s team, earning his 402nd cap and moving ahead of James Anderson.
Is Jos Buttler still playing Test cricket?
While Buttler has not officially retired from the longest format, his recent international activity has been exclusively in ODI and T20I cricket. His last Test appearance was during the 2021/22 season.
How did England perform in their first 2026 T20 World Cup match?
England faced Nepal in their opening fixture. Jos Buttler top-scored for the side with 68 runs, helping to stabilise the innings after early wickets fell at the Wankhede Stadium.