Jos Buttler is on a quest to regain his flair with the bat in one-day internationals, all while solidifying his role as England’s captain in the Champions Trophy being played in Pakistan.
Since taking over as the permanent leader of the white-ball team in June 2022, Buttler’s statistics have taken a hit in his 33 ODIs, averaging 33.13 with a strike rate of 99.2. This is a noticeable drop from the 41.2 average and 121.28 strike rate he boasted during his first 151 matches.
This ongoing dry spell runs parallel to England’s recent struggles in one-day internationals. They are heading into their Champions Trophy opener against Australia this Saturday with a disappointing record of 16 losses in 23 ODIs.
Buttler, who spent much time batting at number five, now shifts to the number six spot at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, a position where he once thrived under the leadership of Eoin Morgan from 2015 to 2019.
Feeling self-assured, Buttler shares, “I’m really confident about my form right now. There’s an excitement and optimism in knowing that 50-over matches have been my forte throughout my career. It’s where I’ve made the most impact.”
He goes on to express his intent, “I want to double down on my strength in the middle-order, contributing impactful innings, and staying true to my identity as a cricketer. This focus is what I aim to bring to the tournament and beyond.”
Buttler is also open to strategic flexibility, particularly with the batting order. While Phil Salt and Ben Duckett are set to open, the unexpected inclusion of Jamie Smith at number three offers room for adjustments based on how a game unfolds. Buttler himself has sometimes been the key to pressing the advantage, proving effective when England got off to a fast start by moving up to number four, where he averages 68.1, compared to 34.63 lower down the order.
Despite his past roles as England’s finisher, Buttler emphasizes that he isn’t sacrificing personal success for the sake of the team’s lineup. “I’ve mostly batted at six my whole ODI career, so it’s a comfortable spot for me.”
Trust in the team is paramount for Buttler. “We’ve structured the team to maximize our current strengths, and it’s exciting to see how it will unfold. We’re adaptable, willing to make changes when needed, but it’s also crucial to let players know they’re trusted in their designated roles.”
England’s batting line-up receives additional support with the integration of Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Buttler letting Jamie Smith into the mix. Meanwhile, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, and Adil Rashid are ready as their main bowling options.
After a tough 3-0 series defeat against India, England is eager to bolster their batting. Even though headlines arose criticizing Ben Duckett’s comments on prioritizing the Champions Trophy over the series against India, Buttler clarifies that competitiveness is inherent to any athlete reaching this level. “Every player out there is highly competitive and seeks victory.”
Reflecting on recent performances, Buttler adds, “Achieving success isn’t as simple as sheer willpower. It’s about focusing on controllable elements to get those wins.”
For those interested, more insights can be gleaned from Jos Buttler as he expresses confidence in Jamie Smith’s ability to excel at number three.
