Buttler defends picking IPL over Red Rose
CHRIS OSTICK
JOS Buttler has defended his decision to play in the IPL rather than start the season playing County Championship cricket with Lancashire in a bid to win back his Test place.
When the wicketkeeper signed for Lancashire in 2013, he turned down an option to play in the big money T20 competition, instead choosing to concentrate on forcing his way into the England side.
It worked, and the following summer he was in the Test team.
But after a poor run of form with the bat, he was replaced by Jonny Bairstow during the tour of South Africa over the winter.
He had the option of starting this season playing in the Championship with Lancashire. Instead, he joined the Mumbai Indians, who paid £385,000 for him in the IPL auction.
Now he is back at Emirates Old Trafford, but still hasn’t played a four-day game for Lancashire this season after being rested by the ECB from the clash with Yorkshire at the end of last month.
And he will miss the next three Championship games at least as he joins up with the England ODI squad on Monday for the series against Sri Lanka.
But Buttler believes his spell in India has made him a better – in all formats of the game.
“I’ve come back a more rounded player,” he said. “I’d say more confident.
“Playing against the best players in the world and sharing dressing rooms with them, it gives you confidence that you’re playing in that environment.
“I learnt some great lessons.
“I know it’s always complicated for English players with it clashing with our season. But if that chance does arise, I’d recommend it.”