Jos Buttler reveals he fears losing England captaincy ahead of T20 return against West Indies Cricket News

Jos Buttler has revealed he fears shedding his place as England white-ball captain however is extra decided than ever to steer their “subsequent period” alongside Brendan McCullum.

England deserted two limited-overs World Cups in a matter of months, resulting in the sacking of head coach Matthew Mott, however normal supervisor of cricket Rob Key selected to proceed with Buttler.

Buttler, who has joined the England squad in Barbados forward of his return this week, won’t don the wicketkeeping gloves within the T20 collection in opposition to West Indies beginning on Saturday.

Requested if he thought the choice to be stripped of the captaincy might go the opposite manner, Buttler admitted: “I feel it is undoubtedly a chance.”

“However ‘Keysy’ believed in me to steer the group ahead and be a future captain. I had some good conversations with him and I mentioned I do not wish to do it as a result of I am the one one who does it and I need it. So I did it as a result of I used to be the correct particular person to do it.

“I am actually honored to do it and I imagine I can do it properly and I do know I can at all times do higher, similar to batting or fielding, it is a talent that may be improved.

“It is truly clear that you simply’re decided to do that and maintain going.”

Buttler felt “accountable” for Motte’s sacking after England’s T20 World Cup semi-final exit in June, with McCullum poised to take over from the Australian in January and unify the teaching reins.

McCullum, who has been England’s Take a look at group coach since April 2022, outlined his mission to cheer up Buttler after labeling him “painful at instances in ongoing difficulties” , to reverse England’s flagging fortunes in ODIs and T20s.

Butler’s four-month absence because of a nagging calf harm has given Butler a recent perspective on the remainder of his profession, and after a number of conversations with McCallum, the 34-year-old two-time World Cup The title-winner intends to cherish the time he has left, in addition to presiding over the continued white-ball reset.

“Nevertheless lengthy I play, hopefully for a very long time, I simply wish to keep on the sector and assist develop the subsequent period of white-ball cricket and actually, actually get pleasure from that a part of my cricket,” Buttler mentioned.

“I haven’t got to attempt to defend something or maintain on, I simply need this to be an extremely fulfilling time in my life.

“Whenever you get damage like that, it makes you notice how a lot you wish to come again and what you actually get pleasure from doing, in order that’s going to be my mindset regardless of how lengthy I come again.”

Butler: I am pleased with the protection

Buttler’s third harm in 4 years has stored him sidelined for the reason that Caribbean T20 World Cup, with setbacks preserving him out of Australia’s white-ball tour of England in September and the 2017 ODI collection loss to West Indies recreation.

He’ll return as a specialist batsman within the first T20 match in Barbados on Saturday, with Phil Salt taking on wicketkeeping duties, permitting Buttler to speak extra freely along with his bowlers .

Buttler admitted the choice was taken in session with McCullum, who himself initially wore gloves earlier than ditching them to deal with his New Zealand captaincy duties.

“His again does not permit him to maintain wickets. However when he strikes nearer to the bowler, he finds it very useful and an excellent place for captaincy – to be near the bowler and probably take a last-minute determination,” he mentioned.

“If one thing is sweet for me and good for the group, I am open to it. I am pleased to play. I feel there are execs and cons to each issues.

“I am very dedicated to this collection. On the finish of the collection, I can see the way it went, how I loved it, what actually good issues it allowed me to do, after which transfer on from there.”

West Indies usher in star gamers for T20

West Indies have fielded a bunch of star gamers of their first two T20 video games in opposition to England, together with Akhil Hussain, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell .

All 4 missed the current tour of Sri Lanka because of private causes, with solely Hetmyer that includes within the Windies’ current 2-1 ODI collection win over England.

However they have been recalled forward of a weekend doubleheader in opposition to Butler’s group in Bridgetown.

Alzarri Joseph has been sidelined after being banned for 2 video games by Cricket West Indies for his altercation with skipper Shai Hope throughout Wednesday’s win over England at Kensington Oval.

Matthew Forde was named man of the match for the ODI collection, changing Joseph within the 15-man squad. The Windies will regroup after video games on Saturday and Sunday earlier than enjoying their ultimate three video games in St Lucia subsequent week.

“The T20 group is our most steady group with plenty of skilled gamers,” Windies head coach Daren Sammy mentioned.

“Nevertheless, the problem lies in selecting the beginning lineup as a result of each participant is competing for a spot within the beginning lineup.

“Once we face an excellent England group, I’m assured that the group chosen will proceed to play the model of cricket that has received us video games and this collection.”

West Indies vs England schedule (all instances for UK & Eire)