Jos Buttler has suggested English cricket should look to baseball, American football and other US sports to help bring in a new generation of fans, after admitting 'the kids aren't watching'.

England’s white ball captain joined former World Series champion Chase Utley at The 108 for a baseball masterclass ahead of the return of America’s pastime to the London Stadium.

Buttler says English cricket could learn a thing or two from America's pastime, baseballCredit: MLB Europe/Getty Images

There have been plenty of obvious comparisons made between the English and American bat-and-ball sports over their 100 year-plus history - including a number of crossovers in the past.

Buttler was involved in one of the most recent of those, with the wicket-keeper and batsman trading his cricket whites for a Boston Red Sox jersey in Europe’s first ever Home Run Derby event at London’s Hyde Park back in 2017.

And he’ll be leading from the front as he helps take cricket to US audiences this summer, as the 33-year-old prepares to skipper England at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA in June, with venues in New York, Florida and Texas.

The tournament is a huge opportunity for the sport to build its following across the pond, with Utley telling talkSPORT that cricket is followed as much in the States as baseball is in the UK.

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And Buttler says there are plenty of lessons cricket can learn from baseball and other US sports in terms of attracting new audiences and cranking up the entertainment.

While cricket is one of the most-watched sports across the world, there have been great efforts made by the ECB to bring in younger viewers over recent years, including The Hundred format that was introduced in 2021.

Buttler says even more can be done and cricket chiefs should look at US sporting events - including the MLB World Tour: London Series, which returns in June - for inspiration.

Discussing the differences between the red and white ball games with Utley, England’s T20 captain remarked: “I tell you, the kids on TikTok and Instagram aren’t watching Test cricket.”

Buttler pulled on a baseball uniform and was joined by MLB royalty back in 2017 ahead of the inaugural London Series between New York Yankees and Boston Red SoxCredit: Getty

Asked if there’s anything cricket can learn from America’s pastime to help attract younger audiences to the longer form of the sport, he told talkSPORT: “Absolutely. You look at the American sports and entertainment is a huge part of that.

“I haven't been to live events, and I’d very much like to, but it seems like the sport is part of the bigger thing, whether it be in the trailer park having a few drinks and before you go into the game or the entertainment.

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“The Super Bowl is obviously huge, you have Jay Z and Eminem performing at half-time, I really enjoyed watching Usher this year, that brings eyeballs and it's an introduction then into the sport. 

“Now if someone's introduced to the Super Bowl by seeing these global music stars but then they actually really enjoyed watching the game as well, then that's a great introduction into the sport and I think is something that cricket can do really well.

“I hope that's the vehicle that short-form cricket like The Hundred and T20 cricket can be to introduce people to how special the Test game is and get kids involved.

“If they love The Hundred and they say I really enjoyed watching Ben Stokes, he was so good, and then mum or dad says you know what, you could watch him for four or five days if you want!

“Now I think that can be the great introduction and way into the younger generations learning to love Test cricket as well. 

“And again around the Tests, we're unique in England in that we have the Barmy Army and great support and there’s that balance between having a few beers and enjoying cricket and also around Test matches.