JOS SETS SIGHTS ON MAIDEN CENTURY

Jos Buttler has set his heart on an elusive goal against India this summer – his maiden Test century.

It is exactly four years ago that Buttler hit what is still his highest Test score, against these same opponents on their last tour, at his very first attempt.

In 32 subsequent innings, spread over 20 matches, he has not bettered the 85 he made on debut in the 266-run victory at Southampton.

Back then, he was keeping wicket too in Tests as well as the limited-overs formats but has returned this summer – at the behest of new national selector Ed Smith and on the back of his brilliant Indian Premier League form – as a specialist batsman, with Jonny Bairstow instead behind the stumps.

It has been a happy return so far, Buttler marking his first Tests since Chennai in December 2016 with back-to-back half-centuries in the drawn series against Pakistan.

Still, three figures evade him – and down at number seven, even with his remarkable shot-making ability, it will be no easy task to chalk off century No. 1.

Nonetheless, Buttler said:

“It is the ultimate aim – I would love to achieve that feat.”

If he does so, he is in no doubt that in the five-match Specsavers Test series against India, it will be coming on one of the biggest stages of all – comparable, he believes, to the Ashes.

“Absolutely – it is a huge series,” he added.

“India are a fantastic team – in all conditions as well now.

“Australia is a huge series for England, but in this day and age India are not far behind.”

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