England vs. India: Jos Buttler looks to draw on IPL experience in Test series

Jul 30, 2018

Could the 27-year-old be a potential vice-captain for England?

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England’s Jos Buttler scored 548 runs in 13 matches for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 IPL

Jos Buttler hopes that his Indian Premier League (IPL) experience can boost his run-scoring chances in Test cricket when he lines up for England in the upcoming five-match series against India.

Buttler has played Twenty20 cricket for the Mumbai Indians and the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and in the 2018 edition of the tournament he was the sixth-highest scorer with 548 runs.

In his 13 IPL matches for the Royals in 2018, the 27-year-old’s highest score was 95 not out and he averaged 54.80 with the bat. He believes his knowledge of the Indian players could help him against Virat Kohli’s side.

Buttler told The Guardian: “I feel like I have learned a hell of a lot from watching guys train and go about their practice and the way they react to pressure moments in a game.”

England’s biggest Test cricket rivals are Australia, but Buttler says that India are now a close second. The first Test of the 2018 series starts on Wednesday at Edgbaston and Buttler said: “They are a fantastic team – in all conditions now. Australia is a huge series for England but in this day and age India are not far behind.”

Buttler to be a future vice-captain?

The Daily Telegraph suggests that if he impresses during the Test series against India, Buttler could be a potential future vice-captain for England.

James Anderson is currently England’s vice-captain but the Telegraph says that Buttler’s “inner steel” and “ruthless, hard edge” make him a strong contender to be Joe Root’s deputy.

But when asked about the vice-captaincy, national selector Ed Smith would not be drawn. He said: “That’s a question for [England coach] Trevor [Bayliss] and Joe. I’m not involved in it. I wouldn’t make any comment. My job is to serve England cricket by being part of a selection panel.”

Broad and Anderson to rotate?

The Telegraph also reports that England are planning to rotate experienced fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad during the five-Test series against India. Broad, 32, and Anderson, 36, are unlikely to play all five matches which take place across a six-week period.

England will also decide if they will pick two spinners against India at Edgbaston. The Telegraph says that England will pay “close attention” to the pitch today.

England Test squad

Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jamie Porter, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes