Jos: I’m on the white track now

JOS BUTTLER says he may have too much on his plate with the England white-ball captaincy to consider a return to Test cricket.

The wicketkeeperbatsman (above), who took over the limited overs role after Eoin Morgan (below) stepped down this week, believes he is out of the

Test team “on merit”.

But he also claimed that with a T20 World Cup this year and their 50-overs World Cup defence in India next year his new role needs his attention “full time”.

“Certainly being captain of the white-ball team is my No.1 priority so I’m really excited for that and the

Test stuff might be a question that never has to be answered,” he said.

“It’s quite obvious at the minute I was left out on merit. Rightfully so. I had a poor Ashes series and I’m not part of the team at the moment.

“I’m very focused on the white-ball stuff and really excited for the challenge ahead. It’s going to be a really big challenge and one that needs my full time.”

Buttler announced his first squad yesterday for the three T20s and three ODIS against India this month and included Lancashire team-mate Richard Gleeson.

He also insisted the door is open to all including Alex Hales who fell out of favour under Morgan.

Adil Rashid misses both series after being given permission to make the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, however Test skipper Ben Stokes will be available for the one-dayers.

Buttler added: “The team is in a great place and I see the game in a very similar way to Eoin.

“One big thing that we’ve talked about as a group is not setting boundaries, always keen to improve and push the bar higher.”