Jos Buttler insists that his ambition is still "to be the best player I can, no matter what color the ball is in", but says he needs to play in England's last five Test matches under the ECB's rest and rotation policy. I have no regrets about missing out. , warning that if you treat the global schedule as "an endless piece of string", at some point you're going to get burned.
Buttler has been included in England's T20 squad for the series against Sri Lanka starting in Cardiff on Wednesday, and is expected to open the batting again alongside Jason Roy, despite his recent He batted at number 4 for Lancashire during his return to action. T20 Blast
But his absence from the Test series against New Zealand earlier this month left people in disarray, especially in the wake of the postponement of this year's IPL, the root cause for which he was expected to miss two matches at Lord's and Edgbaston. .
Although New Zealand's IPL players made themselves available for the series - including Trent Boult, who had to miss the Lord's Test during quarantine - Buttler remained sidelined after Ben Fox, his understanding, was out with a hamstring tear Went. In the absence of his established wicket-keepers, James Bracey made an uneasy start behind the stumps as England suffered a 1–0 series loss, their first on home soil since 2014.
Buttler, however, dismissed any suggestion that the Test team is in trouble after four losses in five in his absence, including three on the bounce in India, in what was a memorable win in Chennai in his most recent appearance.
"Generally speaking, things are not as good as you think they are and are never as bad as you think," Butler said. "We played three great games in the subcontinent and then faced some really tough conditions. India are a strong force at home and went on to win that series. It's disappointing whenever you lose at home - we're proud A proud nation with a record at home and it was Ruthie's first series loss at home.
"It's disappointing whenever you don't play cricket you know what you are capable of as a side. But in the last 18 months, in two years, there has been some progress and I think the team is in the right direction. going in. Things are still in a good place. Whenever you lose, there are question marks but I think some great things have been laid and I support everyone in that side for a great summer against India I will."
He reiterated the importance of the ECB management players' workload in England's home season as well - which is now an extension of the touring lifestyle, which requires a COVID-safe environment and consequently long hours away from friends and family. .
Butler has a two-year-old daughter, Georgia, who was born on the eve of the 2019 World Cup, and said it was important for England's top cricketers to maintain work-life balance, especially on their packed itinerary for 2021 Looking at - which is still a home Test series against India, followed by the T20 World Cup and the Ashes in rapid succession.
"It's always disappointing when you miss cricket," Butler said. "I was feeling good and things were going well but if I get another chance I will keep that confidence. Also, what has been helpful as a player is your openness with the coaches and captains Discussion. Rest periods are because when you're involved it probably allows you to throw yourself into everything. If it's an endless piece of string, at some point you're going to get burned.
"I don't think there's a right answer," he said. "In England we're playing the most cricket, so it's important to look after everyone really well, and I think the ECB does a good job of that. We understand it's a short career and you want Be available and play as much as you can, but in the current environment, with all the complexities of covid etc, I think we have to take care of our people.
"It used to be very easy to do simple things like play in England, bring your family in, and get out and go home and do those simple things. But the tension and stress of the atmosphere at this time is different than it used to be.
“I know there has been some criticism from outside, but I think this is a day and age where we have to take care of people and appreciate the fact that people try to be forward thinking and take care of people. Is it right? No, of course it is not, but I would like us to take care of our people."
There has also been criticism that in the midst of all the need for compromise, the England Test team has balked at the availability, with the white-ball team in full force despite the absence of injury. Players like Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer.
And though Buttler is adamant that he wants India to be in the frame for both the Test and the Ashes, he also believes that in another World Cup year, there will be an opportunity to use white-ball players for their specific roles. Significance is of paramount importance if England are to emulate their feat in 2019 and add the 20-over title to their list of global ICC trophies.
"It's really important to finish the squad," he said. "The role clarity for people and the familiarity of playing together, I think is a marker of successful teams - they are the ones who know each other well and are playing good cricket in the tournament.
"It was something that helped us in the 50-over World Cup - full of confidence, played good cricket. So we need to work hard on these next few T20s to make sure that we put ourselves in a good position." can keep it." When we go into the World T20.
"Naturally I am a better white-ball player than I am a red-ball player, but I want to be the best cricketer in all formats," he said. "In terms of my ambitions, I want to be the best player I can be, no matter what color the ball is."