Buttler hopes to stay 'authentic' yet succeed

Cricket365
May 7, 2014

England limited-overs wicketkeeper Jos Buttler feels that his batting style, while not the same as Kevin Pietersen's, can fill the void in terms of aggression and innovation in the Test side.

Buttler has not played a Test for England yet but is the top picked in ODI and T20 games, with valuable and quick runs coming from him in the lower middle order. He hopes to keep that style of batting going, and break into the Test side.

Buttler told the <i>BBC</i>: "Pietersen was a massive one for being different. He was a great entertainer, put bums on seats, people wanted to watch him bat because he did it differently and he had a style about him.

"I am not Kevin Pietersen, so I wouldn't be able to do it in his way, but it is about being authentic and playing my brand of cricket.

"You almost have to decide whether you want to conform to the normality of having a good technique and leaving outside off stump or whether you want to be someone who plays a bit differently.

"You might get out in ways that seem unusual in four-day cricket but you know you can play innings that can turn games and win games for your team."

Buttler moved from Somerset to Lancashire in order to get more time behind the wicket in the longer formats, and knows he has a ways to go before being a threat to Matt Prior, but hopes the England selectors will see his potential.

He added: "I have big improvements to make in my cricket, to make people take notice. But there have been times in the past where England have picked players because they think they can play for England.

"Duncan Fletcher hand-picked Marcus Trescothick and said he was going to be a great Test cricketer for England. His average wasn't that high when he was picked.

"It can work both ways and it is down to the opinion of those who select teams."

Part of his reason to Lancashire for this season was to work with Peter Moores, and now that the coach has left the club, which Buttler labelled 'not ideal' for him, he hopes to keep using the lessons he learned.

Buttler said of Moores' coaching style: "The main things that really stood out were his enthusiasm for the game and his attention to detail.

"He made the sessions I did with him really enjoyable, which helps get that spark back in your cricket. You really walk away feeling you've enjoyed yourself and become a better player."