KP: Selectors must show patience with Buttler

England

Kevin Pietersen has urged the England selectors to show more patience with their players after wicketkeeper Jos Buttler returned to form in stunning fashion in the ODI series in Pakistan.

The 25 year-old Buttler was dropped from the side for the final Test against Pakistan after only scoring 34 runs in the first two matches of the series.

Buttler, however, smashed the fastest ODI century for an England player, off just 46 balls, in the final game against the Asian side in the ODI series to see England to a three-one series victory.

Pietersen told Sky Sports: "I have been very vocal about Jos. I've seen how he plays certain shots and I've seen different scenarios where he's flourished.

"When you've got someone who's a gem, he shouldn't have been treated the way he was over the last two weeks. I can't see a situation where you can pick Jos Buttler for the first Test in South Africa.

"If selection is the way selection goes he can't play unless there's an injury. I know South Africa are so happy Buttler won't be batting at number seven for England. Buttler can change a session just like that.

"I've spoken to him and he's a different bloke from the summer. With these wonderful players and superstars, it only takes one knock to turn things round. That knock happened and it happened 10 days after he was dropped from a Test match.

"Sometimes that just happens. Buttler is a wonderful player who just needed more time. You don't treat them like that. That's what irritated me. For Jos and England and how well they played, it's brilliant – he's a wonderful guy."

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