JOS BATTLER
World Cup hero keeps England afloat but says: I’ve had to fight through form slump
JOS BUTTLER has warned Australia he is finally enjoying batting again – for the first time since his draining World Cup heroics.
The England star proved a significant thorn in Australia’s side late on day one of the fifth Test by cracking 64 off 84 balls – including three sixes – to lift England to 271-8 at the close after being put in to bat at the Oval.
And with England needing him to kick on again this morning, Buttler says he he has finally shaken off his World Cup hangover. He said: “I’ve just found it hard all series. They have an excellent attack – I just don’t DIFFERENT WORLD: Buttler, celebrating his halfcentury, is firing on all cylinders again after a taxing summer of white-ball cricket
think I’ve played very well. I haven’t really got it.
“The period at the start of your innings is always tough and, against a very good attack, you have to be on it straight away – they challenge you straight away.
“I haven’t quite been good enough to get through those periods. In the last couple of games, I haven’t necessarily felt great at the crease, but I’ve tried to scrap my way through it.
“It’s been a big test of everything this summer, – mentally, physically – any game against Australia is massive and you find something within yourself to do it for your team.”
With the new ball approaching, Buttler kicked on in the final session in a typically barnstorming effort alongside former Somerset team-mate Jack Leach, who is 10 not out.
“I thought it would be the hardest time to try to attack [for them] and, with the bowlers having bowled a lot, it felt like the best time to score some runs and find a bit more enjoyment in my batting as well,” said Buttler. “I just tried to look at the scoreboard and think what the best way was for us to go forward.”
Buttler admitted that the match situation was “in the balance”.
“Having lost the toss, we got into a very good position at 170-odd for three.
“It’s a shame to not quite be able to capitalise on that, but it shows there’s a bit in the wicket for both batters and bowlers.”