England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler is in the midst of ascertaining his place as the team's first-choice wicketkeeper in Tests. For a player who has established his class in the shorter formats of the game, there is still some way to go in the longest format. After playing the two-Test series in Sri Lanka, Buttler will feature in the first Test against India in Chennai after which he will return home. Ben Foakes will be available for the second Test and the seasoned Jonny Bairstow will come in for the remaining two Tests. All this is part of England Cricket Board's rotation policy to manage player workload as well as ensuring they get time out from mentally demanding bio-bubbles they have to be in while playing international cricket this season. Buttler will return for the white-ball series and then play in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals. Slightly confusing perhaps for critics but players are not complaining.
Speaking about coping with the demands of being in bio-bubbles and the ECB's rotation policy, Buttler said, "People around the world are in very tough situations due to the pandemic and lockdowns. World has turned upside down, so we are very fortunate to do our job and play cricket which we love. Having said that, we do find it challenging. Spending time away from your family, in quarantine, locked up in hotels can be tough. ECB has been forward thinking, I think, to rotate players in and out of this series. You want to see the best players but it's just not possible with the amount of cricket and time spent in bubbles to keep doing that. When you look ahead, there is so much uncertainty. I certainly find that tough."
Buttler is currently in quarantine in Chennai along with majority of the England squad. The quarantine gets over on February 2, three days before the first Test begins.
also read
- Yashasvi Jaiswal wins ICC Player of Month Award
- India make it 4-1 with crushing win in Dharamsala, thrive on impatience of England batters
- 'Magnificent': England's James Anderson captures 'Peak 700'
- Why Shubman Gill's father doesn't like him batting at No.3
- Fourth Test: India aim for WTC points; England to play for pride
Buttler, however, is glad that playing in IPL and having toured India in past with the England team has helped him adapt to conditions and environment quickly. "These are very different conditions than what we are used to. Having played before in India and spending time here with IPL, make it easier in terms of familiarity with the Indian conditions, hotels, grounds. That is certainly a help, and makes me feel more comfortable," said Buttler.
He is also looking forward to the challenge of keeping on low, slow and turning wickets in India. "The pitch will change and deteriorate over five days, with less carry for seam bowlers than they are used to over in England, Australia and South Africa. So, standing quite close and low, [it's about] quick reactive chances. And obviously, the challenge of standing up to the spinners as ball starts to turn later on in game. It's also a great place to keep wickets because you feel you are always in the game. I certainly enjoyed in Sri Lanka and ball turning past bat is exciting. Keeping in these conditions is lot of fun," he said.
Buttler is one of the few players in the current squad to have the experience of playing a Test series in India; there are a number of players who will be playing a Test series here for the first time. He played in the previous series in India in 2016 and scored one half century in the three Tests he played. The five-Test series in 2016-17 was won by India 4-0. Buttler said that the present squad cannot be compared to that one as the current team is on a different learning curve. "Different faces are there this year with us. Some young guys are on their first tour to Asia. Dom Sibley, Zack Crawley and Rory Burns—our top 3—can occupy the crease. Young guys are looking forward to their first taste of playing Test cricket in India. By spending time in India, you start to understand the magnitude of the game. It's a huge challenge for us, that's why we play the game."
Three England players who were not part of the Lanka tour—Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Rory Burns—arrived earlier and completed their quarantine today. The trio started their training at the MA Chidambaram Stadium this morning. The rest of the England squad will be allowed to train from February 2 onwards. The entire England touring party underwent their second RT-PCR COVID-19 tests on Friday. All results have returned negative, informed England's media manager Danny Rueben.