Jacob Bethell backs Jos Buttler as concerns grow over tired England opener
jacob bethell dismissed doubts about Jos Buttler’s form on the eve of England’s next phase at the T20 World Cup, saying the opener will come good as the side move closer to the semi-finals. Buttler’s recent scores have prompted questions, but teammates and staff have kept working on his reflexes and timing.
Jacob Bethell backs Buttler amid growing concern
Jacob Bethell told team staff and media that "He's fine, " and added that the options Buttler had taken "haven't come off" but "no one in that side is worried about Jos in terms of performance. " Bethell said Buttler "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 that has left him unable to bowl, and he also looks ahead to the T20 World Cup Super 8s.
Buttler's recent scores and wider scrutiny
Buttler, a 35-year-old and England's leading T20 run-scorer with 4, 003 runs in 139 innings, has struggled for big scores in recent international cricket. He was out for three against Scotland and three against Italy, and has not reached a fifty in 14 international innings this winter. In the match against Italy he was dismissed fourth ball while trying to clear the infield for the second match in a row, prompting former captain Nasser Hussain to suggest Buttler should take time to build an innings.
What Buttler says and what he has done in domestic T20
Speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, Buttler 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. 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'. In T20 you have got to keep playing the scoreboard. " His last major international contribution was 83 from 30 balls against South Africa in September, and in the SA20 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. Buttler added: "I felt I was playing really well in the SA20 without getting scores. "
Training in Sri Lanka focused on reflexes
England trained on Thursday for the first time since their win over Italy on Monday after travelling to Sri Lanka. Buttler had a lengthy regular net practice and then faced throw-downs from fielding coach Carl Hopkinson using a wet tennis ball on a soaked concrete strip in an apparent attempt to sharpen his reflexes. Questions have been asked whether Buttler's form is a worry during England's T20 World Cup so far.
Support from within the squad as England progress
Other figures have also backed Buttler as England have overcome more top-order batting frailties, and some coverage has even called a tired Jos Buttler a huge concern as England move closer to the semi-finals. jacob bethell reiterated confidence in the opener while noting the team is focused on performance at the big stages. Bethell looks ahead to the T20 World Cup Super 8s as the confirmed next phase of the tournament.
Bethell’s immediate focus and England’s confirmed next event is the T20 World Cup Super 8s, which the squad are preparing for after their win over Italy on Monday.
