BUTTLER’S HOMA RUN
JOS BUTTLER suffered the World Cup from hell in India earlier in the winter.
But he has so far been heaven-sent for the Rajasthan Royals in this season’s Indian Premier League (IPL). And it’s all down to a US golfer. Buttler smashed his second hundred in this year’s competition last week off just 60 balls as the Royals beat the Kolkata Knight Riders, after a ton in 58 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
But it’s not time in the nets that has helped Buttler – it’s the example of US golfer Max Homa (below), who finished third in last weekend’s Masters in Augusta.
“If I catch myself thinking about what can go wrong, I let myself dream about what can go right,” Homa said.
And Buttler clearly took note with Rajasthan needing 96 to win from just 36 balls against KKR.
He said: “I’ve been watching some golf and I saw Max Homa say that if you have any negative thoughts, completely think the opposite and dare to dream. “And that‘s what kept me going. “Plenty of times throughout the IPL you’ve seen crazy things with guys like [MS] Dhoni and Virat Kohli, they stay to the end and keep believing. That’s what I tried to do.”
Buttler also paid tribute to Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara, the Royals’ director of cricket.
“Sangakkara has told me a lot – there’s always a breaking point,” added Buttler. “The worst thing you can do is to not fight and give your wicket away.
“He just tells me to stay there and at some point the momentum will change or one shot will get you going. That’s a big part of my play – stay the course and not get in my own way.”