JOS: I’LL BE BLAST MAN STANDING
JOS BUTTLER is in no doubt – England must strengthen their attacking instincts if they want to win the World Cup.
With just over two months until the biggest one-day tournament begins in the UK, there could be a tightening up, a hint of practicality and conservatism creeping into England’s bold approach of the past four years.
But Buttler is in no mood to lift his foot off the throttle and take the more cautious approach to success. It simply isn’t part of his DNA and he knows it won’t lead to glory.
Fresh from a career-best 150 in Grenada (above), in which his attacking prowess was in full flow, Buttler is now gearing up for a stint in the Indian Premier League with Rajasthan Royals.
And he intends to keep operating at full power until trophies and medals have been won.
Buttler, 28, said: “Getting to No.1 was a goal ahead of the World Cup. Now it is about staying true to what England are about and continually getting better, and trusting that style which will stand us in good stead at the World Cup.
“It won’t be a side that plays cautiously that wins the World Cup, it will be a side that plays some brave cricket and smart cricket.
“You need to really stick to the things you’ve been doing to make you one of the favourites, and one of those things has been pushing boundaries and constantly improving.
“Initially, in the side’s evolution, we talked about if we were bowled out in 42 overs but had 300 on the board that was fine.
“But England are better than that now.” Buttler had a rest during the T20s against the West Indies so that he could attack the summer with confidence, and he is again hoping the IPL will play its part. “If you’re playing well in the IPL I think that gives you great confidence to take into the World Cup,” he explained.
“A tournament of this magnitude demands that respect, that you’re fully focused. I’m going to India to win the IPL.
“Last year it was a springboard to the best cricket I’ve played for a while, so I’m focused on staying at my best throughout.
“Someone like Virat Kohli scores a hundred every game and he doesn’t settle. That is my aim.”
■ RAJASTHAN ROYALS star Jos Buttler was talking ahead of the 2019 IPL that begins this weekend.