Jos Buttler has suffered a serious setback to his calf injury, raising fresh doubts over his fitness to play in England’s T20 clash with Australia next week.

The England whites captain has missed all of The Hundred with a calf injury picked up in July but has lined up a return to action for Lancashire in this week’s Vitality Blast.

However, Red Rose coach Dale Benkenstein revealed live on air that Buttler will miss Wednesday’s quarter-final clash with Sussex Sky Sports, and is racing against time to be fit for the first T20 match against Australia on September 11.

“We had some bad news about his recovery,” Benkenstein told BBC Radio Lancashire. “He had an injury that he was recovering from and he pulled it again.

“Not only will he not play in the T20s, but I think he will struggle to get into international matches.

“He really wanted to play for us. Jos was in touch with us to prepare for the quarter-finals, but he won’t be with us.”

England are understood to be taking the situation in stride and expect Buttler to be ready to lead a rebuilt squad throughout the limited-overs tour of Australia, consisting of three T20 matches and five ODIs this month.

His chances are likely to improve if we assume he steps down from one of his key T20 duties, with Phil Salt keeping the ball while Buttler plays closer to his bowlers to pass on any advice.

Buttler has not featured in a cricket match since England’s defeat to India in the T20 World Cup semi-final on June 27, but Rob Key has backed him to remain captain.

Coach Matthew Mott was sacked after two disappointing World Cup performances, with Marcus Trescottick taking over as Australia coach on an interim basis, while long-serving Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali were dropped from the squad and uncapped Josh Hull, Jacob Bethell and John Turner were brought in as part of a squad overhaul.

England v Australia fixtures schedule – all matches live on Sky Sports

• 1. T20 (September 11) – The Ageas Bowl, Southampton (starts at 6:30 p.m.)
• 2. T20 (September 13) – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (starting at 6:30pm)
• 3. T20 (September 15) – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester (kick-off at 14:30)
• 1st ODI (September 19) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham (starts at 12:30)
• 2nd ODI (September 21) – Headingley, Leeds (kick-off at 11:00)
• 3rd ODI (September 24) – Seat Unique Riverside, Durham (starts at 12:30)
• 4th ODI (September 27) – Lord’s, London (starting at 12:30)
• 5th ODI (September 29) – The Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol (11:00 start)

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