Jos Buttler: tired jos buttler a huge concern as England move closer to semi-finals
jos buttler is England's leading T20 run-scorer with 4, 003 runs in 139 innings, but a poor run of form and visible tiredness have become a focus as England move closer to the semi-finals. The England batter says he will not just bat for himself as he tries to correct that run of form at the T20 World Cup.
Form and fitness: Jos Buttler
The 35-year-old has struggled for scores in recent matches; he was out for three against Scotland and Italy and has not scored a fifty in 14 international innings this winter. After he was dismissed fourth ball looking to clear the infield for the second match in a row against Italy, former captain Nasser Hussain suggested Buttler should take time to build an innings.
What Buttler has said
Speaking on his For the Love of Cricket podcast, Buttler addressed his approach directly. He 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. "
Recent high and low scores
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 despite recent failures. In domestic franchise cricket he scored 97 not out for Durban Super Giants in the SA20 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 and preparation details
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 in an apparent attempt to sharpen his reflexes.
Team reaction and Bethell comments
Team-mate Jacob Bethell dismissed doubts about the opener's form. Bethell said: "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; he suffered a cut during the defeat by West Indies and it has meant he has been unable to bowl.
Questions continue to circulate—"Is Buttler's form a worry? England's T20 World Cup so far analysed" and Bethell looks ahead to T20 World Cup Super 8s—but the immediate picture shows a leading run-scorer working to regain rhythm while the team advances.
For now, jos buttler remains a focal point: a leading scorer with 4, 003 runs in 139 innings who is openly altering his approach amid a challenging spell, while team training and individual treatments continue as England press on toward the semi-finals.
