Jos Buttler, England’s T20 captain, finds silver linings in the team’s T20I series loss to West Indies. Despite the disappointment of defeat in the decider in Trinidad, Buttler considers the tour a success, highlighting the discovery of some “really good things” during the fact-finding mission.
Strategic Approach Pays Off
The five-match series against the 2016 T20 World Champions was approached by England as both a pursuit of victory and a fact-finding mission. The strategy paid off initially with two wins, primarily attributed to Phil Salt’s superb centuries. The series provided a valuable understanding of the conditions leading up to the T20 World Cup in six months.
Jos Buttler remarked, “Yeah, I think so. You want to win and we all wanted to win the series. It’s hard to say when you’ve lost, but I think we’ve found out some good things.”
Concerns Amid Exceptional Talent
Despite the positive outlook, England’s T20 team faces concerns with a trend of just four wins in 12 T20s this year and no series victories. Buttler remains confident in the team’s exceptional talent but acknowledges the importance of regaining the winning habit.
Buttler reflected on his own 2023, saying, “Not really, [but] I’ve had some low moments for sure. It was a huge disappointment in my career that [ODI] World Cup just gone, but after you let the dust settle there’s huge motivation and determination to have another crack and keep going. So that desire still burns strongly.”
Areas for Improvement
Jos Buttler points out death bowling as a specific area for improvement, with a focus on executing yorkers effectively. The potential return of Jofra Archer is seen as a cause for optimism, considering his expertise in crucial game phases.
Buttler emphasized, “It’s been good to be in these conditions and [to] have a look at what might work in those scenarios. I think if you can execute your yorkers, they’re still the best ball in T20.”
Wicketkeeping Dilemma
Buttler’s decision to forego wicketkeeping duties in the final two T20s, handing over the gloves to Phil Salt, raises questions about the captain’s role behind the stumps. Buttler expresses openness to the possibility of continuing in the outfield, emphasizing the need for reflection on the team’s dynamics.
Regarding wicketkeeping, Buttler stated, “I’ll probably take a few days to reflect on that. It’s nice sometimes during the over to be closer to the bowler, but when you’re keeping wicket you can always run down and run back. It’s just a sort of stereotypical thing from the outside that it’s slow or it doesn’t look right. So, I don’t know. I like the view as a wicketkeeper behind the stumps, to be able to see exactly what’s happening, but I enjoy fielding as well. So I don’t really have any huge preference either way to be honest at the moment.”
Looking Ahead to T20 World Cup
Despite the defeat, Buttler looks forward to the T20 World Cup in June. The experience gained during the West Indies series, coupled with players participating in various T20 tournaments worldwide, is seen as a positive foundation for a strong performance in the upcoming World Cup.
Jos Buttler’s optimism prevails as England aims to refine strategies, address concerns, and prepare for the T20 World Cup with a renewed winning spirit.
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