Jos Buttler showcases his Test credentials

Jos Buttler was the man who made the difference at Leeds and fully justified his recall to the Test team with a superb unbeaten 80 in England’s innings victory.

His knock, the highest of the match, came from 101 balls and contained 11 fours to go with two immense sixes – the first over his shoulder; the next sailing over the sight screen. The innings secured him the Player of the Match award and a run in the side into the upcoming India series.

“It’s great to be back in,” he said after the match. “It’s a great opportunity I’ve been handed, and I’m just trying to enjoy the occasion.”

Only two batsmen managed to make fifty in the match, the two No.7s, Buttler and Shadab Khan. “A lot of batsmen made starts,” he said. “But there was always going to be a delivery with your name on it. It kept the bowlers interested throughout and made batting tricky at times.”

Despite being England’s only half-century maker, the first nine batsmen all passed double figures in England’s innings and Buttler made clear that he had great faith in the lower order as he set about crafting his innings.

“There’s some fantastic players around us, and they showed that here. After a tough week at Lord’s it showed in this performance what this side is capable of and it’s very pleasing.”

Buttler switched modes when Stuart Broad joined him, shifting from steady accumulation to one-day expressiveness, and such a demonstration of versatility bodes well as he attempts to reignite his Test career. “It’s always nice to get that opportunity to be able to slog a few! I’m just trying to play situations, that’s what I’m aiming to take into my game.”

He suggests that luck has played a part in him being afforded a second chance, considering how little red-ball cricket he’s played in recent months. It was the decision of Ed Smith, England’s new national selector, to give Buttler – who Smith described as England’s “most natural strokemaker” – the chance to resurrect his Test career.

“For someone to take a punt on you,” said Buttler, “that gave me a lot of confidence that they think there’s a Test player in there. I’m quietly confident in my own ability, but for someone else to show that faith in me gives me a load of confidence. I’ve talked about wanting to play the same game no matter the colour of the ball, and I’ve tried to carry on that mindset into these games.”

Buttler, who also top-scored in the second innings at Lord’s, has now played 20 Test matches across four years. At one time he feared his Test career was over. Now he will line up against India next month feeling more like a Test player than at any stage in his career.