Jos Buttler’s Role: A Missed Opportunity
Jos Buttler, the incumbent England captain, should seriously consider promoting himself up the batting order in the upcoming Champions Trophy game against Afghanistan, according to former England opener Nick Knight. In England’s recent five-wicket defeat to Australia, Buttler made his way to the crease in the 35th over, contributing 23 runs off 21 balls while batting at No. 6. Despite his efforts, this position, which he has often occupied in ODIs, is seen by some as not maximizing his potential. Buttler has previously stated that he views this position as his "super-strength," but Knight strongly disagrees, suggesting that Buttler’s current role is limiting his impact on the game.
Knight’s Perspective: Best Player, Maximum Impact
Knight, who has played 100 ODIs between 1996 and 2003, expressed his strong feelings about Buttler’s batting position during an ESPNcricinfo Matchday show. "Jos Buttler, for me, is not taking enough part in the construction of an innings," Knight said. "He’s one of the best players in the world, let alone one of the best in the team. He’s the best player. You want your best player to have as much influence on the outcome of the innings as possible." Knight believes that when the partnership between Joe Root and Ben Duckett was broken, England made a mistake by sending in Harry Brook instead of Buttler. He emphasized the importance of flexibility in the batting lineup and the need to capitalize on Buttler’s exceptional skills by bringing him in earlier.
Past Struggles and Future Potential
Buttler’s performance in the 2023 50-over World Cup and his average of 26.16 in ODIs in Asia have been points of criticism. However, Knight downplayed these stats, pointing to Buttler’s success in the IPL against top-tier bowlers. "I’ve seen him destroy attacks in the IPL – very good, high-quality attacks," Knight said. "He can play in Asia, don’t worry about that. He’s scored hundreds galore in one-day cricket in those conditions. It’s all about finding the best balance for him." According to Knight, when Buttler is at his best, he gives himself 5 to 15 balls to settle in and can then unleash his full potential. He described Buttler as one of England’s finest players of all time and a world-class batter in white-ball cricket.
Nasser Hussain: A Different View
Nasser Hussain, who captained England during the 2003 World Cup, also weighed in on Buttler’s batting position. Speaking on the Sky Sports cricket podcast, Hussain echoed Knight’s sentiments, stating, "The damage that Buttler could do [higher up] compared to what he can do at the end, I think I would have him up the order." Hussain noted that if Buttler bats at No. 3 or 4, he might get out for a low score occasionally, but his talent and ability to score heavily, especially on flat surfaces like the one in Lahore, could lead to a massive innings. "If, on a pitch like that, England’s best white-ball player of all time is sitting and watching 40 overs of cricket from the pavilion, as an opposition captain, I’m thinking, ‘That’s good. I’m enjoying that.’"
Buttler’s Pressure and Decisions
The Champions Trophy is a crucial tournament for Buttler, and his performance could have significant implications for his captaincy. "Any time as an England captain you want to perform, you want to perform well, and you want to lead your team to winning games of cricket. We haven’t been doing that enough in the recent past," Buttler conceded on Tuesday. He acknowledged the pressure he is under and the importance of making an impact in the tournament. Knight and Hussain both suggest that the current situation should motivate Buttler to take more risks and promote himself up the order. They argue that the potential benefits outweigh the risks, especially given the stakes involved.
The Way Forward: Flexibility and Trust
England’s management team and Buttler himself need to be flexible and trust in his abilities to make a significant contribution throughout the innings. Knight and Hussain’s insights highlight the need for a strategic reassessment of the batting lineup to ensure that the team is making the most of its best player. As England faces Afghanistan in Lahore on Wednesday, the decision on Buttler’s position could be pivotal. For Buttler, this is a defining moment in his career, and the choice to promote himself could be the key to both his personal success and England’s chances of advancing in the tournament. The pressure is palpable, but the potential rewards are undeniable.
