Buttler brings a lot to table

Manchester, Aug. 10: Jos Buttler is the “whole package” and that is why the wicketkeeper-batsman should be a regular in England’s Test side, feels Australian spin great Shane Warne.

Buttler was under immense scrutiny due to lapses behind the stumps during the first Test against Pakistan last week. He missed two chances against opener Shan Masood on 45, who went on to score 156, helping Pakistan put up 326 on the board in their first innings.

However, the 29 yearold, who had also been struggling with the bat for some time, played a crucial 75-run knock in the second innings and shared a century stand with Chris Woakes to help England win the first Test by three wickets.

“He should always be in the side. Jos is a very good and reliable keeper but, occasionally, you’re going to have a few bad days — it wasn’t easy out there, either,” Warne told Sky Sports.

“But Jos should always be in your side because of what he’s capable of, with the bat especially. And then his keeping, he’s a good leader among the team as well — there’s a calmness about him — he’s the whole package. He’s always one of the first pencilled in for me,” Warne added.

Buttler changed the complexion of the game with his aggressive batting. He struck seven boundaries and a six in his 101 ball-75, helping England, who were reeling at 117 for five, chase down the 277 run target.

“What really impressed me with Buttler was the way he went about it, he trusted himself, said ‘I’m the man, I’m going to get this done’.”

Warne added that Buttler’s positive approach helped his nonstriker Woakes, who struck a match-winning unbeaten 84 after having averaged only 5.22 in his last six Tests. “He just played beautifully; and that helped Woakes, who had been struggling for form. It was a fantastic chase, against a quality attack, on a good pitch,” he said.