ICC World Cup 2023: Jos Buttler Accepts He And Ben Stokes Are Not Fastest In Team England Anymore, Says "We Are A Bit Older"

England skipper Jos Buttler accepted that both he and Ben Stokes are no longer the fastest in the England squad and said that they have become a bit older now.

While speaking to ESPNCricinfo’s Cricketmonthly, Jos Buttler said that Ben Stokes and himself used to run five-meter sprints quicker but now they don’t have that speed anymore since they have become older.

The skipper added that during the Indian Premier League (IPL) he fielded in the outfield where he had to run quicker but as a wicketkeeper agility, and diving are more important. Buttler accepted that these days he rarely goes for long-running.

“We are a bit older than we were. That was [based on] a 2k time trial, but now, for me, it is about five and ten-meter sprints, being able to run too quickly. In the IPL, I’m fielding [in the outfield], so I need to do some longer sprints, but usually, as a wicketkeeper, agility, and diving, and maybe from the base of the stumps, sprinting two meters to pick up the ball – just being a bit more specific. I very rarely do long-running now,” Jos Buttler said.

It’s fair to say it’s a huge part of my game: Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler acknowledged that the scoop shot has become a major part of his game and sometimes he just uses the shot to enjoy and not to get all the benefits.

The 32-year-old further added that if one batsman can play that shot then the bowler has to cut it off and the batsman will get something fine out of it.

Buttler accepted that he had been dismissed while using the scoop shot but also claimed that he had to depart hundreds of times for using forward defense but no one told him to stop using it.

“It’s fair to say it’s a huge part of my game. And sometimes you don’t even have to play it to reap the benefits of it. That’s why it was such a huge part of any batsman’s armoury. If you can play that shot, either a bowler has to cut it off or they leave that option open. You are going to get out doing it sometimes and that’s fine. I have got out a few times doing it but got out hundreds of times playing a forward defence and no one said to put that away,” Jos Buttler added.

Jos Buttler-led England will face New Zealand in the inaugural match of the tournament on October 5th at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.