Published: Feb 24, 2017, 03:16 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 24, 2017, 03:17 PM (IST)
England cricketer, Jos Buttler feels that the Test cricket is facing some serious challenges in an era dominated by the much more entertaining T20 format. Buttler is one of the eight England players set to play in the upcoming season of IPL. He also played for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the last season. According to Buttler, though the current generation of cricketers perceive the Test cricket as an ultimate challenge, the future generation may fall for the name and fame offered by T20. Although, Buttler sympathises this view but he admits that T20 is much more entertaining and gives an opportunity to earn a lot as well. Yet he regards the cricketers who play the Test cricket to be unparallel.
The example of Tymal Mills is perfect to prove this point. Mills’ cricket career was limited to T20 after he developed a severe back condition. This forced him to retire early from First-Class cricket. Mills eventually became a T20 specialist and attracted a bid of INR 12 crores (USD 1.8 million) in the 2017 IPL auction proving that a cricketer need not play a long formats to enjoy profitable and successful cricket career.
Buttler has high regard for the Test cricket. He reminisces the era when the 2005 Ashes was a big thing. He still remembers when Mark Wood bowled Nathan Lyon [to clinch the 2015 Ashes at Trent Bridge] and adds that the feeling can never be replicated with a huge amount of money offered in a T20 league.
“I don’t think you should look at it like that. If you enjoy Twenty20 and you want to play it, that’s great. And if guys are determined to become Test cricketers, then so be it as well. I don’t think you should be detrimental about people’s decisions either way,” Buttler was quoted in a report in ESPNCricinfo.
Buttler thinks that the times have changed. Today, the youngsters may probably look up to Tymal Mills as an idol thinking that they should concentrate on T20 as it could be a potentially bright career for them. Buttler says that these are serious challenges to the Test cricket.
Buttler hopes to play in all three formats of the game. Buttler is appalled with the fact the T20 specialists are often undervalued. He feels that the skills required by T20 players are every bit deserving praise as those required for success in Test cricket.
Buttler clarifies his stance by saying that it is not that the T20 players are not respected, but the T20 league is not considered as a proper format. He adds that people often believe players who play only T20 matches take an easy option.
“I don’t think you should look at it like that. If you enjoy Twenty20 and you want to play it, that’s great. And if guys are determined to become Test cricketers, then so be it as well. I don’t think you should be detrimental about people’s decisions either way,” Buttler added.
Butler feels that the popularity and demand of England cricketers in IPL auction may prove the efficiency of their team in the limited-overs cricket. He says that it is fantastic to know that the people are noticing the England players as they have some of the best cricketers in the world. But at the same time, he feels that England should not be over-confident and start delivering success in major tournaments.
According to Buttler though the England cricket team is a very talented group but it is the result which matters the most. They have been playing the international cricket for a while, tasting some amount of success; it still does not mean that they have proved themselves at international level. They have a long way to go.
Buttler says that they do not want to hide behind. They are trying to playing a brand of cricket and the results do not matter to them because they have set sights on Champions Trophy 2017 victory. The tournament will played in England in the month of June.
