Exclusive Jos Buttler interview: 'I don’t need anyone to tell me I have been underperforming'

Jos Buttler normally writes a simple message on top of his bat handle to remind him how to approach the game.

But this week he will leave off the “f--- it” because after the match he will raffle one, and auction another of his bats, to raise further money for National Health Service charities.

Buttler, along with his bat sponsor Kookaburra, has designed stickers for his bats for the first Test to support the NHS and the Clap for Carers initiative.

Buttler has already raised more than £65,000 for NHS charities this summer by putting on eBay the shirt he wore in the World Cup final. “It did well for a smelly, sweaty shirt,” he says. The Royal Brompton hospital bought specialist ventilators with the money Buttler raised for its emergency Covid-19 appeal.

“Kookaburra ran a competition in lockdown for people to design their own bat stickers so I got involved. The one I designed is a thank you to the NHS and key workers who through this pandemic have been doing an incredible job for us in this country,” he says.

Cricketers are a superstitious bunch so perhaps they will stay if they bring a change of personal fortune with Buttler admitting he has underperformed for “a little while” in Test cricket.

An average of 16.42 in South Africa and one century from 41 Tests perplexes him as much as it does the England management.

With Ben Foakes and James Bracey reserves in the Test squad, and Jonny Bairstow never far behind, there is serious competition for his place.

Buttler has struggled to identify a method in Test cricket, oscillating between one-day innovation and playing a blocking, defensive game. The lockdown has given him time to clarify his thoughts.

“I see this week as a big opportunity for me. I don’t need anyone to tell me I have been underperforming for a little while. I am under no illusions that I need to perform at my best otherwise it won’t go on forever. I feel it is down to me. I have nothing to lose. It is in my hands to give myself the best chance.

“I’ve made a few technical changes which hopefully will stand me in good stead moving across all formats. In Test matches I have played my best when I have committed to the way I want to play. I have to trust I can stay in and, if I do that, then naturally I will always score because I am an attacking player. I don’t need to go in with preconceived ideas of how to bat. I just need to trust my defence. When I have done that, it has been successful.”

Buttler looked exhausted in the final Test at the Wanderers in February. The World Cup, and the tortuous final in particular, appeared to have sapped him of energy so the Covid-19 shutdown came at the right time as the build up begins for another Ashes tour.

“I don’t want to use tiredness as an excuse. I am someone who enjoys a break from the game so this has been beneficial to me. It is easier when you know there is no other cricket going so it was not like I had to take the decision to take a break and then sit there watching it on TV and questioning whether I had made the right decision.

“We do play a lot. We had a big run in to the World Cup. It does take a lot out of you but that is no excuse for my form. Sometimes when playing well it is nice to have game after game so it can be a benefit, but I do feel refreshed.

“I have got a lot of love back for the training. Having time also gives you a chance to think about your cricket. There is no point in looking a long way ahead. Test cricket is the one area I haven’t fulfilled my potential. That is my ambition. I have nothing to lose in the immediate future by going for it and making it happen.”

Buttler happily stood down as vice-captain last winter to allow Ben Stokes to be promoted back to the job he lost after his arrest and court case.

Now he is back as second in command and it has worked out for the best because the last thing Buttler would need this week as he fights for form is to captain the team as well.

“Ben will lean on players. He has a fantastic cricket brain and he has matured lots and developed into arguably the world’s best cricketer. He will do it in his own way but he has lots of experience in the team. As vice-captain I will be happy to give my point of view to add value.”

Adding value will have a double meaning this week. “Hopefully we can raise a bit more for NHS charities. That message [on the bat handle] is a good reminder for me but I might have to think about it this week.”