Jos urges tourists to open up if life in bubble takes its toll

JOS BUTTLER has urged his England team-mates not to suffer in silence if life on tour gets difficult this winter.

England set off for South Africa yesterday for a trip that features three international T20 matches and three one-day internationals.

It is their first overseas series during the coronavirus pandemic. Under the agreed protocols, all matches will be played in Cape Town or Paarl and the players will remain in biosecure bubbles throughout, something vicecaptain Buttler knows will present a challenge for everyone. ‘I think all of

us will go through it at different stages, where you feel a bit homesick or a bit claustrophobic, by not being able to get out and about as you might usually want to, so we will just have to make sure we are very aware of that,’

said the wicketkeeper-batsman. ‘If you are feeling under pressure or not feeling yourself, having the confidence to talk about it is very important.’

Buttler, 30, (pictured) is familiar with such restrictions, having been involved in England’s home series last summer as well as playing in the recent Indian Premier League.

He added: ‘We have got quite used to it. We got used to the bubble in England and a few of us have taken part in the IPL and been accustomed to that. It’ll be much the same.’

Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Sam Curran will all sit out the ODI leg of the tour but Buttler was eager to play in both formats.

He said: ‘I was very keen to go and play because I’ve really missed oneday cricket. I’m really looking forward to getting back in that team.’