Jos Buttler Rejects Conservative Approach Despite World Cup Run Drought
England captain Jos Buttler has reaffirmed his commitment to aggressive cricket, stating he will not alter his batting approach despite a challenging run of form during the World Cup in India. Responding to suggestions that he should look to occupy the crease for longer periods, Buttler emphasized that the team’s requirements for quick runs must take precedence over his personal preservation.
The England skipper has faced intense scrutiny regarding his recent performances, having failed to register a half-century in his last 14 international innings. With a highest score of just 39 in that period, questions have been raised about whether the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter should adopt a more traditional approach to regain his touch.
Responding to Nasser Hussain’s Advice
Former England captain and commentator Nasser Hussain recently suggested that Buttler should aim to simply “bat for 15 overs” to rediscover his rhythm. However, speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, Buttler respectfully disagreed with the conservative methodology in the context of limited-overs cricket.
“I saw Nasser say, ‘just bat for 15 overs,’ and 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. You’ve got to still play the game,” Buttler explained.
He contrasted the demands of white-ball cricket with the Test arena. “There are times when you’ve maybe been out of form in a Test match… [and] you try to bat for an hour and it will come back to you. But in limited-overs, you’ve got to keep playing the scoreboard; if you’re chasing 10 in an over you’ve got to play accordingly,” he added.
Recent Form Analysis
Buttler’s struggle for runs has mirrored England’s difficult campaign in the subcontinent. His recent outings in Mumbai and Kolkata have yielded low returns, contributing to the team’s precarious position in the tournament standings. While he has shown flashes of his destructive best, the consistency required to anchor the innings has been elusive.
| Opponent | Venue | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | Wankhede, Mumbai | 15 | Lost by 229 runs |
| Sri Lanka | M. Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru | 8 | Lost by 8 wickets |
| India | Ekana, Lucknow | 10 | Lost by 100 runs |
Despite the statistical dip, Buttler remains mentally resilient. “A bit frustrating so far, the game just keeps challenging you, no matter what stage of your career you’re at. I’ve been through lots of patches of poor form over 15 years… it’s always the same things you come back to at the end, which is stand still, watch the ball and trust yourself,” he said.
The Mumbai Connection and Tournament Outlook
Despite the on-field challenges, Buttler spoke fondly of his time in Mumbai, a city he knows well from his tenure in the Indian Premier League (IPL). “Mumbai, I think, is a city I really enjoy. There are some really good restaurants to get out to… It’s obviously busy and hectic, but that’s all part of the fun of India,” he remarked.
He also highlighted the rising standard of competition, praising the Associate nations and lower-ranked sides for their spirited performances. “The associate sides have played brilliantly. I’m sure they all feel like they’ve got nothing to lose. They’re looking for that giant-killing kind of performance,” Buttler noted.
England will look to salvage pride and potential Champions Trophy qualification in their remaining fixtures. The management has confirmed that Buttler will retain his batting position, viewing him as the best person to reverse his own fortunes.
“The only person who can score my runs is myself. I’m not going to score them by hiding away or sending anyone else out; I’ve got to put my own shirt on, mark the middle, and off we go again,” Buttler concluded.