Jos Buttler Should Always Be A Part Of England Team: Shane Warne

Shane Warne, the former Australian leg-spinner-turned commentator, has heaped high praise on England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler for his counterattacking 101-ball 75, which along with Chris Woakes’s unbeaten 84 guided the home side to their successive run-chase [277] in their Test history.

England were staring down the barrel at 5-117 when Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes launched a stunning counter-attack on the Pakistani bowlers, one that the visitors had answers to as they leaked 139 runs in a mere 33 overs to squander a match-winning position. It was a brilliant innings from Buttler, given the amount of pressure he was in due to his low returns with the bat in the past 12-18 months and his crucial lapses behind the wickets in Pakistan’s first innings.

But Buttler threw caution to winds and almost got into that white-ball mode, a format where he is an absolute beast. Buttler’s baptism with fire and his ability to change the game like he did in the first Test is precisely why Shane Warne feels that the wicketkeeper-batsman should always be a part of the English side.

“He should always be in the side. Jos is a very good and reliable keeper but, occasionally, you’re going to have a few bad days – it wasn’t easy out there, either. But Jos should always be in your side because of what he’s capable of, with the bat especially. And then his keeping, he’s a good leader among the team as well – there’s a calmness about him – he’s the whole package. He’s always one of the first pencilled in for me.” Shane Warne was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

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Shane Warne hails Jos Buttler and England for the ‘character’ that they displayed in the 1st Test

One of the things that were truly visible during Jos Buttler’s knock was the amount of calmness that he ensued. Unfazed by the growing criticism and scrutiny around his Test spot, Buttler showed immense belief as he took the game by the scruff of its neck and dictated terms to the bowlers. Warne feels that Jos Buttler’s initial counter-attack rubbed off on Chris Woakes, who was coming into his game, having himself admitted of being disappointed with his batting form.

“What really impressed me with Buttler was the way he went about it, he trusted himself, said ‘I’m the man, I’m going to get this done’,” added Warne. He just played beautifully; and that helped Woakes at the other end, who had been struggling for form, but came in and played extremely well,” Warne added.

The legendary leg-spinner also went to hail England for the character that they displayed despite being pegged back substantially by Pakistan in the first two days.

“I’m very happy for Woakes and, in particular, Buttler. It was a fantastic chase, against a quality attack, on a good pitch. It’s a special win and one the players will be very proud of. The best thing I saw from England is it was a real ‘character’ win.” he added.

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