Jos Buttler will not change batting style to fix T20 World Cup form

Jos Buttler has not scored a half-century in his last 14 international innings, but he will not change his aggressive batting style during the T20 World Cup.
By Newsroom | Cricket, Sports |

Stakes of the Current Situation

England's T20 World Cup campaign faces a crucial juncture, with the team progressing to the Super 8 stage. A key figure, Jos Buttler, the team's captain and a highly regarded white-ball batsman, is navigating a period of diminished personal scoring. This situation prompts questions about his approach to regaining form and its potential impact on England's tournament success. The team's performance in the coming matches hinges, in part, on Buttler's ability to contribute effectively with the bat.

Background: Recent Performance and Team Context

Jos Buttler has experienced a notable decline in scoring runs recently. Across his last 14 international innings in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is), he has not achieved a half-century. His highest score during this period has been 39. This trend has continued into the current T20 World Cup, with scores such as 12, 20, 15, 22, three, and one appearing in his recent match history, including two instances of scoring just three runs against Scotland and Italy.

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Jos Buttler 'won't bat for 15 overs' to return to form amid struggle for runs in T20 World Cup - 1

Despite this lean patch, Buttler's place in the England team appears secure due to his established reputation and past contributions. He is widely considered England's greatest white-ball player, holding the record for most T20 runs for England with 4,003 runs in 139 innings. His recent performances for club teams, such as an unbeaten 97 in the SA20, indicate his potential to score heavily, though this form has not consistently translated to his international matches.

The team has managed to navigate the group stages, securing wins against Nepal, West Indies, Scotland, and Italy, often by narrow margins. England is now set to face Sri Lanka in the Super 8 round.

Jos Buttler 'won't bat for 15 overs' to return to form amid struggle for runs in T20 World Cup - 2

Buttler's Declarations on Batting Strategy

In response to his current scoring drought, Jos Buttler has clearly stated his intentions regarding his batting approach. He has dismissed suggestions that he should alter his natural, aggressive style of play or bat defensively for extended periods solely to improve his personal statistics.

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  • Buttler insists he will not bat merely to occupy the crease if it means compromising the team's needs.

  • He believes in playing according to the match situation and the required run rate, stating, "You've got to still play the game."

  • The concept of batting for a specific duration, such as 15 overs, simply for the sake of personal form correction is something he has rejected. He suggests, "I would love to bat 15 overs, but… you've got to still play the game."

  • He acknowledges his frustration with his form but emphasizes that a core part of his enjoyment in cricket comes from batting, making the current situation challenging.

Evidence of Player's Stated Intent

"No, Buttler believes he should not curb his natural game and must continue to play aggressively according to the match situation in T20 cricket." - Article 1

"You’ve got to still play the game.” Buttler made an unbeaten 97 in the SA20 last month but he then amassed scores of 12, 20, 15, 22, three and one…" - Article 2

"I won't bat for myself to correct form - Buttler" - Article 3

"You've got to still play the game. If you're chasing 10 an over, you've got to play accordingly. The game just keeps challenging you. As much as you're frustrated with your form and you want to obviously contribute to the team, part of cricket is I love batting, and so not doing as much batting as you would like is frustrating." - Article 4

"…insisting he will not bat merely to occupy the crease at the expense of the team’s needs." - Article 5

"He further explained on how he would approach games, and said that he wouldn't bat 15 overs just for his benefit." - Article 6

"Buttler 'won't bat for 15 overs' to return to form amid struggle for runs in T20 WC … He emphasized the need to play according to the game situation and scoreboard, rather than solely focusing on occupying the crease." - Article 7

"…insisting he will not bat merely to occupy the crease at the expense of the team’s needs." - Article 8

Views from Within the Squad

Despite Buttler's own assessment of his form, there is stated confidence from within the England camp regarding his ability to perform. Jacob Bethell, a teammate, has publicly dismissed any doubts about Buttler's form.

Jos Buttler 'won't bat for 15 overs' to return to form amid struggle for runs in T20 World Cup - 3

  • Bethell is convinced that Buttler will deliver a significant innings when it matters most during the remainder of the tournament.

  • He has stated that "nobody is doubting Buttler."

External Commentary and Expectations

There have been external suggestions about how Buttler might approach his batting. Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain reportedly suggested that if Buttler were to bat for approximately 15 overs, he could be instrumental in winning games for his team. Buttler's response indicates awareness of such views but a firm adherence to his own tactical principles.

Buttler's Perspective on Frustration and Identity

Buttler has openly admitted to feeling "frustrated" by his recent run of scores. He links his personal pride to his performance and finds the current lack of substantial batting contributions difficult. He states, "I pride myself on my own performance." However, this frustration is tempered by his commitment to playing for the team's advantage rather than focusing solely on personal milestones.

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Jos Buttler 'won't bat for 15 overs' to return to form amid struggle for runs in T20 World Cup - 4

The Team's Pragmatism

The English team's progress through the group stage, despite Buttler's struggles, highlights a degree of resilience. Their passage was secured with victories that suggest the team can succeed even without consistent, high-volume scoring from its captain. The emphasis remains on team performance, and Buttler's stated intention is to contribute within that framework, playing aggressively and according to the game's demands.

Conclusion and Implications

Jos Buttler has communicated a clear stance on his batting strategy during the T20 World Cup: he will continue to play his natural, aggressive game, prioritizing team needs over personal statistical improvement. He rejects the idea of batting conservatively or for extended periods solely to regain form. While acknowledging his personal frustration, Buttler's focus remains on contributing to England's performance within the context of each match. Teammates have expressed confidence in his ability to overcome this period. The team's progression thus far suggests a capacity to win matches even with this batting challenge. The effectiveness of Buttler's approach in the upcoming Super 8 matches, particularly against stronger opposition, will be a key factor in England's tournament trajectory.

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Sources Used:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Jos Buttler not changing his batting style for the T20 World Cup?
Jos Buttler said he will not change his natural, aggressive batting style to fix his recent low scores. He believes in playing according to the game situation and team needs, not just for personal runs.
Q: What has been Jos Buttler's recent batting form?
In his last 14 international innings, Jos Buttler has not scored a half-century, with his highest score being 39. His scores in the T20 World Cup have included 12, 20, 15, 22, three, and one.
Q: What does Jos Buttler think about batting defensively to regain form?
Buttler has rejected the idea of batting defensively or for a specific number of overs just to improve his personal statistics. He stated he must still play the game and score runs when needed.
Q: How does Jos Buttler feel about his current form?
He admitted to feeling frustrated by his recent lack of big scores, as he takes pride in his performance. However, this frustration does not mean he will change his approach to batting.
Q: What do his teammates think about Buttler's form?
Teammate Jacob Bethell expressed confidence in Buttler, stating that nobody in the squad doubts his ability to perform when it matters most in the tournament.
Q: What is the team's situation in the T20 World Cup?
England has reached the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. They have won matches despite Buttler's lean patch, showing the team can succeed even without his high scores.