Jos targets maiden ton against India to cap his perfect summer

JOS BUTTLER has set his sights on a Test hundred against India as he seeks to tick another box in a remarkable summer.

Buttler’s highest Test score remains the 85 he made against the Indians on his Test debut four years ago at Southampton. Since then a further 19 Tests have produced seven more fifties — including an unbeaten 80 against Pakistan at Headingley last month — but no centuries.

Now, in a season in which he has regained his Test place and transferred his imperious form at the IPL on to the international stage, Buttler wants to cement his role as England’s roving No7 by reaching three figures.

‘It is the ultimate aim,’ he said. ‘I would love to achieve that feat. I have good memories against India but it is about reinforcing the enjoyment factor and the incredible opportunity to play Test cricket. For those two games against Pakistan, I was not sure how it would go but I approached them in a great manner and it is important for me to do that going into this series.’

Like a number of his colleagues in England’s top seven for the first Test at Edgbaston starting on Wednesday, Buttler also has the advantage of having faced talented Indian left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav during the Twenty20 and one-day series.

‘There will be pointers other guys can share about his angle of attack, the pace he bowls and there is a copious amount of video analysis’ said Buttler.

‘But until you go out in the middle and do it yourself, there is only so much that stuff helps. You have to face people for yourself and work out your best plan individually to counteract what they do .’

Buttler was speaking at the launch of ‘The Test Experts’ Specsavers as Official Test Partner for England ahead of the 1,000th Test, starting at Edgbaston on August 1.