Jos: We want a Silver lining
BUTTLER AND CO ARE FIRED UP
JOS BUTTLER reckons the England team owe head coach Chris Silverwood a result in Sydney after an Ashes tour that has put his job on the line.
Even a win in the fourth Test, without Silverwood who is looking after his family after one of the party was struck down with Covid, may not be enough to save the Yorkshireman.
But he remains a much-liked coach who has been let down by his team’s displays, much the same as skipper Joe Root who has scored so many runs, but lost so many games.
With pride to play for, not to mention the avoidance of yet another 5-0 whitewash, there is a lot on the line when the action starts on Tuesday and Buttler (right) knows it.
Result
“We absolutely owe him a result,” said Buttler. “One thing is we’re massively in it all together.
“We live it all together and we want to play well for each other.
“You mention the team and coaching staff, we’re very much a group and determined to play well.
“It’s obviously frustrating for Chris that he’s not here with us – isolating from Covid, another complication of the tour – but we’re certainly very united.
“We certainly don’t want to be a team that loses 5-0. Every game you start, you start afresh. We must maintain belief and come around from the disappointment of where we’re at in the series. With two Test matches still to play, there’s a hell of a lot to play for.
“People talk about playing for pride and the badge, that’s a massive motivation for everyone.”
Buttler had hoped to make his first Ashes tour a memorable one for all the right reasons. But instead it has gone the other way, and there is clearly a sense of frustration for the impact it has had on Root as captain.
There has been plenty of support for him to stay on past this series and
Buttler certainly agreed when he added: “For someone
who’s had such an exceptional year with the bat, you’d expect to win a lot more games of cricket.
“That shows we haven’t supported him as needed. He always tries to help others, and he’s a fantastic leader in that way.
“We all hope he’ll want to continue. It’s a very individual decision for him, but he’s certainly got the players’ support.”
The England wicketkeeper has already made his own positive decision about continuing across all three formats despite his struggles with bat and gloves in the series.
Shocker
His first innings dismissal at Melbourne was a shocker, coming hot on the heels of such a steely performance in Adelaide.
And Buttler is adamant that he can still deliver for England in both white and red ball cricket with a belief that is unwavering.
He said: “I still have an immense amount of belief in my own ability.
“I know members of the team will be questioned on the outside, but it’s all about believing in yourself when you start to get on a downward
spiral.”