Buttler: Test spot not in my sights
England’s new white-ball skipper insists focus is on short formats
Jos Buttler has doused the prospect of adding an incendiary ingredient to the top of england’s test team by saying he has enough on his plate as the new limited-overs captain.
Buttler, 31, was touted as a potential opener in england’s brave new world under Brendon McCullum by his rajasthan royals coach Kumar sangakkara.
the addition of the world’s premier striker of a white ball to their attacking philosophy is a salivating prospect, but not one in the thoughts of the man himself.
speaking at his edgbaston unveiling as eoin Morgan’s successor, Buttler offered a reminder that he was axed fewer than six months ago, adding: ‘rightfully so. I had a poor Ashes. I’m not part of the team at the moment, and the team is playing fantastically well, it doesn’t look like it needs people from outside.
‘I’m very focused on the whiteball stuff and really excited for the challenge that lies ahead. It’s going to be a really big challenge and one that needs my full time.
‘Certainly, being captain of the white-ball team is my No 1 priority.
talking about the test stuff might be a question that never has to be answered unless someone wants to pick me for the team — which hasn’t been the case.’
Buttler was involved in the selection of the two squads england named yesterday for twenty20 and one-day series against India from July 7-17. they represent the start of a new era, after seven years of unparalleled success under Morgan’s stewardship.
‘they’re big shoes to fill,’ admitted Buttler. ‘But the team is in a great place, and I see the game in a very similar way to eoin.
‘one big thing that we always talk about as a group is not setting boundaries, always being keen to improve, always pushing the bar higher and that’s the thing
to try and work on. Where are those areas that we can improve? What can we keep doing? But I hope the style of play remains exactly the same.’
one surprise was the selection of Ben stokes in the 50-over party, given that Morgan recently told Sportsmail that england’s test captain would not be seen in the shorter formats this summer. July also represents a potential pocket of rest in a saturated calendar.
‘ there are certain guys we are going to have to manage
throughout the summer and Ben is obviously one of those,’ said Buttler. ‘I’m delighted he’ll be available for those oDIs. He’s such a big part of any team he plays for, he’s one of the best players in the world, so it’s a great bonus for us he can play some games.’
Joe root and Jonny Bairstow are also in the 15-man squad for a three- match campaign which offers england the chance to reclaim their world No 1 ranking from New Zealand.
Yorkshire’s Harry Brook is the one uncapped player in that group while there is also an international t20 debut on the cards at the
Ageas Bowl next thursday for Buttler’s lancashire team-mate richard Gleeson, a 34-year- old fast bowler selected for his prowess at the death.
Phil salt, who made such a strong impression in the Netherlands recently, is included in both squads while there are four leftarmers — sam Curran, tymal Mills, reece topley and David Willey — in a 14-strong t20 party.
leg- spinner Adil rashid, england’s most prolific bowler in t20 internationals, has been given permission by the eCB to miss all six India fixtures to make the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.