Jos Buttler: jos buttler a huge concern as England move closer to semi-finals
jos buttler, England's leading T20 run-scorer with 4, 003 runs in 139 innings, has acknowledged he will not simply bat for himself as he seeks to correct a poor run of form at the T20 World Cup. The 35-year-old has been out for three against Scotland and Italy and has not scored a fifty in 14 international innings this winter.
Tired headlines and backing
Headlines have ranged from "Tired Jos Buttler a huge concern as England move closer to semi-finals" to "Brook backs Buttler as England overcome more top-order batting frailties" and "T20 World Cup: England batter Jos Buttler will not bat for himself to correct poor form. " Those lines have accompanied questions about his recent returns and his workload.
Jos Buttler and workload concerns
Buttler, described as arguably England's greatest white-ball batter, was dismissed for three against both Scotland and Italy. In the Italy match he was dismissed fourth ball while looking to clear the infield for the second match in a row. Former captain Nasser Hussain suggested Buttler should take time to build an innings.
What he said on the podcast
He spoke on his For the Love of Cricket podcast (external — unclear in the provided context) and said: "I would love to just bat for 15 overs but I don't want to bat for 15 overs just for myself and ignore the game. " He added: "There are times I've been out of form in Test cricket and the batting coach might say 'rein it in and bat for an hour'. " He finished the point by saying: "In T20 you have got to keep playing the scoreboard. "
Recent scores and domestic form
Buttler's last major contribution for England was 83 from 30 balls against South Africa in September, and his place in England's XI remains secure. In the SA20 this winter he scored 97 not out for Durban Super Giants in January but made 12, 20, 15, 22, three and one in his other innings there. He said: "I felt I was playing really well in the SA20 without getting scores. One thing I always pride myself on in T20 is if you get in, go and make a good contribution. "
Training, throw-downs and team update
Buttler and England trained on Thursday for the first time since their win over Italy on Monday, after travelling to Sri Lanka. He had a lengthy regular net practice and then faced throw-downs from fielding coach Carl Hopkinson with a wet tennis ball on a soaked concrete strip — an apparent attempt to sharpen his reflexes.
Team reaction and Bethell
Team-mate Jacob Bethell dismissed doubts about the opener's form, saying: "He's fine. The options he has taken haven't come off but no one in that side is worried about Jos in terms of performance. He will come good when we need him in the big stages of this tournament. " Bethell trained with a bandage on a finger on his left hand after suffering a cut during the defeat by West Indies, which has meant he has been unable to bowl. Bethell looks ahead to T20 World Cup Super 8s.
Is Buttler's form a worry? England's T20 World Cup so far analysed remains a live question for selectors and the dressing room, but the player, his team and teammates have outlined the mix of tactical restraint and continued confidence behind him.
Closing: The facts are clear — Jos Buttler arrives at the Super 8s carrying 4, 003 T20 runs from 139 innings, a recent sequence of low scores that includes two dismissals for three, and active steps in training and team management to address form ahead of the next stages.
