England suffered a massive defeat against New Zealand to lose their first home series since 2014 and the first one against Kiwis at home since 1999 but for Jos Buttler the things in England cricket are not ‘as good as you think and not as bad as you think they are.’
He pointed out that England had to fight in tough conditions against India, who have been a ‘formidabe’ side in their home conditions while terming the series loss to New Zealand which was also skipper Joe Root’s first series loss at home, ‘disappointing.’
"Generally, things are never as good as you think they are and never as bad as you think they are. We played three fantastic games in the subcontinent and then hit some extremely tough conditions. India are a formidable force at home and went on to win that series. Any time you lose at home is disappointing - we're a proud nation with a proud record at home and it was Rooty's first series loss at home,” Buttler said.
He added that England have improved as a side over the past 18 months and they have made significant progress in the right direction to keep things at a ‘good place’ which will help the side come back strongly against India in the upcoming series.
"It's disappointing whenever you don't play cricket you know what you're capable of as a side. But in the past 18 months, two years, there have been some strides and I think the side is going in the right direction. Things are still in a good place. Any time you lose, there are question marks but I think some great things have been put in place and I'd still back everyone in that side to have a great summer against India,” he added.
Buttler missed the two-match long series against New Zealand albeit he arrived in the country as England and Wales Cricket Board had decided to rest players coming back from the curtailed edition of the IPL a rest in order to try ‘new faces.’
He pointed out that England cricketers play cricket ‘more than the most’ players across the world play and hence rest periods are necessary to prevent players from getting burnt out.
"It's always disappointing when you miss cricket," Buttler said. "I was feeling in good touch and things were going well but I will retain that confidence if I get another chance. At the same time, what has been helpful as a player are the open discussions you have with the coaches and captains. Those rest periods are there because it probably allows you to throw yourself into everything when you are involved. If it's an endless piece of string, then at some point you are going to burn out.
"I don't think there's any perfect answers. In England we're playing a lot of cricket, more than most, so it's important for everyone to be looked after really well, and I think the ECB do a good job of that. We understand it's a short career and you want to be available and play as much as you can, but in the current climate, with all the complications of Covid etc, I do think we have to look after our people.
Pointing out the difference the covid-19 has brought upon in the world of cricket, Buttler said the process of keeping families with players or going to and fro to their homes have become untenable. He said that it’s not a perfect world of management by the ECB but he emphasized that the board has been willing to take care of the players in these tough times.
"Simple things like playing in England, it used to be very easy to bring your family in, and get out and go home, and do those normal things. But the stresses and strains of the environments at the moment are different to what it used to be.
"I know there's been some criticism from outside, but I think it's a day and age where we've got to look after people and applaud the fact that the guys are trying to be forward-thinking and look after people. Is it perfect? No, of course it's not, but I'd rather we look after our guys."
Buttler was rested from the last three Tests of the series against India before the New Zealand series but he reiterated his commitment and ambitions to all forms of the game for England. He also urged the need to regain focus on the upcoming two T20 World Cups after the triumphant ODI World Cup campaign.
"That was something that helped us in the 50-over World Cup - going in confident, having played good cricket. So we need to focus hard on these next few T20s to make sure we put ourselves in as good a position as we can be when we get to the World T20,” Buttler added.
"Naturally I am a better white-ball player than I am a red-ball player but I want to be the best cricketer I can be in all formats," he added. "In terms of my own ambitions, I want to be the best player I can, no matter what colour the ball is.”
Jos Buttler has returned to action with Lancashire in the Vitality Blast and will walk back in the ODI team in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.